Top
Cover
Title Page
Copyright Page
Contents
Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
Introduction
The Five-Step Program
Step 1 Set Up Your Study Program
1 What You Need to Know About the AP Computer Science A Exam
Background Information
Frequently Asked Questions About the Exam
2 How to Plan Your Time
Three Approaches to Preparing for the AP Computer Science A Exam
Calendars for Preparing for Each of the Plans
Step 2 Determine Your Test Readiness
3 Take a Diagnostic Exam
Using the Diagnostic Exam
AP Computer Science A Diagnostic Exam, Part I
AP Computer Science A Diagnostic Exam, Part II
Diagnostic Exam Answers and Explanations
Step 3 Develop Strategies for Success
4 Strategies to Help You Do Your Best on the Exam
Strategies for the Multiple-Choice Section
Strategies for the Free-Response Section
Step 4 Review the Knowledge You Need to Score High
Concept 0 Background on Software Development
What Is Java?
What Is a Software Developer?
What Is OOP (Object-Oriented Programming)?
Viewing the World Through the Eyes of a Software Developer
For the Good of All Humankind
Choosing Your IDE
HelloWorld
Rapid Review
Concept 1 Fundamentals of Programming
Introduction
Syntax
The Console Screen
Primitive Variables
Mathematical Operations
Modifying Number Variables
Relational Operators
Logical Operations
Conditional Statements
Looping Statements
Bases Other Than Decimal
Commenting Your Code
Types of Errors
Rapid Review
Review Questions
Answers and Explanations
Concept 2 Classes and Objects (Basic Version)
Overview of the Relationship Between Classes and Objects
The class Declaration
Instance Variables
Constructors
Methods
Putting It All Together: The Circle and CircleRunner Classes
Understanding the Keyword new When Constructing an Object
The Reference Variable Versus the Actual Object
The null Reference
Rapid Review
Review Questions
Answers and Explanations
Concept 3 The String Class
The String Variable
The String Object
A Visual Representation of a String Object
String Concatenation
The Correct Way to Compare Two String Objects
Important String Methods
A String Is Immutable
Escape Sequences
Rapid Review
Review Questions
Answers and Explanations
Concept 4 The Math, Integer, and Double Classes
The Java API and the AP Computer Science A Exam Subset
The Math Class
The Integer Class
The Double Class
Summary of the Integer and Double Classes
Rapid Review
Review Questions
Answers and Explanations
Concept 5 Data Structures
What Is a Data Structure?
The Array
The 2-D Array
The ArrayList
Important ArrayList Methods
Rapid Review
Review Questions
Answers and Explanations
Concept 6 Algorithms (Basic Version)
How We Use Algorithms
Why Algorithms Are Important
Algorithm Versus Pseudocode Versus Real Java Code
The Swap Algorithm
The Copy Algorithm for the Array and ArrayList
The Sequential Search Algorithm
The Accumulate Algorithm
The Find-Highest Algorithm
Rapid Review
Review Questions
Answers and Explanations
Concept 7 Classes and Objects (Advanced Version)
Parameters
Overloaded Constructors
Overloaded Methods
static, static, static
Data Encapsulation
Scope
Documentation
The Keyword this
IllegalArgumentException
Rapid Review
Review Questions
Answers and Explanations
Concept 8 Inheritance and Polymorphism
Inheritance
Polymorphism
The Object Class
Rapid Review
Review Questions
Answers and Explanations
*Concept 9 The abstract class and the interface
The abstract class
The interface
Rapid Review
Review Questions
Answers and Explanations
Concept 10 Recursion
Recursion Versus Looping
The Base Case
Beginner Example: The Factorial Recursive Method
Advanced Example: The Fibonacci Recursive Method
Rapid Review
Review Questions
Answers and Explanations
Concept 11 Algorithms (Advanced Version)
The Accumulate Advanced Algorithm
The Find-Highest Advanced Algorithm
The Connect-Four Advanced Algorithm
The Twitter-Sentiment-Analysis Advanced Algorithm
Rapid Review
Review Questions
Answers and Explanations
Concept 12 Sorting Algorithms and the Binary Search
Background on Sorting Data
Insertion Sort
Selection Sort
Merge Sort
Binary Search
Rapid Review
Review Questions
Answers and Explanations
Concept 13 Seeing the Big Picture: Design
The Software Development Cycle
Designing Class Hierarchy
Testing
Rapid Review
Review Questions
Answers and Explanations
Step 5 Building Your Test-Taking Confidence
AP Computer Science A: Practice Exam 1
AP Computer Science A: Practice Exam 1, Part I (Multiple Choice)
AP Computer Science A: Practice Exam 1, Part II (Free Response)
Practice Exam 1 Answers and Explanations, Part I (Multiple Choice)
Practice Exam 1 Answers and Explanations, Part II (Free Response)
Scoring Worksheet
AP Computer Science A: Practice Exam 2
AP Computer Science A: Practice Exam 2, Part I (Multiple Choice)
AP Computer Science A: Practice Exam 2, Part II (Free Response)
Practice Exam 2 Answers and Explanations, Part I (Multiple Choice)
Practice Exam 2 Answers and Explanations, Part II (Free Response)
Scoring Worksheet
Appendix
Quick Reference Guide
Free-Response Scoring Guidelines
List of Keywords in Java
List of Required Runtime Exceptions
Common Syntax Errors for Beginning Java Programmers
Online Resources
