#AP Computer Science Principles: Ultimate Study Guide 🚀

Hey! Let's get you totally prepped for the AP CSP exam. This guide is designed to be your go-to resource, especially the night before the test. We'll break down the key concepts, highlight what's crucial, and make sure you feel confident and ready to ace it! Let's dive in!

#1. Algorithms & Problem Solving

#1.1 What is a Problem? 🤔

• A problem is essentially a task that an algorithm is designed to solve.
• An instance of a problem is the problem with a specific input. Think of it like this: if "sorting" is the problem, then sorting the list [2, 3, 1, 7] is an instance of that problem.

#1.2 Types of Problems

• Decision Problems: These have a simple yes or no answer. For example:
  • Is the number 17 prime? (Yes/No)
• Optimization Problems: These seek the best solution. For example:

  • What is the shortest path between New York and Los Angeles?

  

  It's more optimal for a computer to find the best route than it is for you to attempt it with a map. Image source: Moonrise Kingdom/GIPHY

#2. Algorithm Efficiency

#2.1 What is Efficiency?

• Efficiency measures how many computational resources (like time, memory, power) an algorithm uses. It's usually expressed as a function of the input size. 📈
• The larger the...