AP Computer Science Principles
Explore how computing innovations are created, how programs and data work, how networks connect systems, and how computing affects people, communities, and society.
Course map
Open a section, then choose the exact idea.
Use the words you remember, a section name, or a topic code.
Big Idea 1Creative Development4 topics
Use collaboration, iterative design, documentation, testing, and correction to turn a computing idea into a purposeful program.
Big Idea 2Data4 topics
Explain how computers represent and compress information, then use programs to extract meaning and create knowledge from data.
Big Idea 3Algorithms and Programming18 topics
Build and analyze programs using variables, abstractions, expressions, selection, iteration, lists, procedures, libraries, simulations, and efficiency reasoning.
- 3.1Variables and Assignments
- 3.2Data Abstraction
- 3.3Mathematical Expressions
- 3.4Strings
- 3.5Boolean Expressions
- 3.6Conditionals
- 3.7Nested Conditionals
- 3.8Iteration
- 3.9Developing Algorithms
- 3.10Lists
- 3.11Binary Search
- 3.12Calling Procedures
- 3.13Developing Procedures
- 3.14Libraries
- 3.15Random Values
- 3.16Simulations
- 3.17Algorithmic Efficiency
- 3.18Undecidable Problems
Big Idea 4Computer Systems and Networks3 topics
Understand how the internet moves information, why redundancy supports fault tolerance, and when parallel or distributed computing improves problem solving.
Big Idea 5Impact of Computing6 topics
Evaluate intended and unintended effects of computing, unequal access, bias, crowdsourcing, legal and ethical questions, privacy, and security.
CREATECreate Performance Task3 topics
Plan, develop, and test student-owned program code, then complete the required individual video and Personalized Project Reference while following the current task directions, allowed-support rules, and teacher-supervised process.