← Computer Science syllabus

United StatesComputer Science

Unit 1: Primitive Types

5 dot points across 5 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How does casting convert between int and double, and what is the range of an int?

Topic 1.5 Casting and Ranges of Variables: use casting to convert between int and double, predict the effect of truncation, and recognize that an int has a finite range that can overflow.
A focused answer to AP CSA Topic 1.5, covering explicit casting between int and double, the truncation that casting to int causes, where the cast applies in an expression, the finite range of an int, and integer overflow, with a traced worked example.
9 min answer →

How do the compound assignment operators and the increment and decrement operators provide a shorthand for updating a variable?

Topic 1.4 Compound Assignment Operators: use the compound assignment operators (+=, -=, *=, /=, %=) and the increment and decrement operators (++, --) as shorthand to update variables.
A focused answer to AP CSA Topic 1.4, covering the compound assignment operators, the increment and decrement operators, how each rewrites a longer assignment, and the integer-division traps they can hide, with a traced worked example.
8 min answer →

How are arithmetic expressions evaluated in Java, and what does integer division and the modulo operator do?

Topic 1.3 Expressions and Assignment Statements: evaluate arithmetic expressions using operator precedence, integer division and the modulo operator, and assign results to variables.
A focused answer to AP CSA Topic 1.3, covering arithmetic operators, operator precedence, integer division truncation, the modulo operator, and how assignment statements store results, with a fully traced worked evaluation.
10 min answer →

What are the primitive types in Java, and how do you declare and initialise variables of each?

Topic 1.2 Variables and Data Types: identify the primitive types int, double and boolean, and declare, initialise and use variables of those types.
A focused answer to AP CSA Topic 1.2, covering the difference between primitive and reference types, the three exam primitives int, double and boolean, declaring and initialising variables, valid identifiers, and constants, with a traced worked example.
9 min answer →

What is a program, how does Java run it, and why does the order of statements matter?

Topic 1.1 Why Programming? Why Java?: explain how a program is a sequence of statements executed in order, how Java source is compiled and run, and how to display output and handle simple runtime behavior.
A focused answer to AP CSA Topic 1.1, covering what a program is, the structure of a Java class with a main method, sequential execution, System.out output, and compile-time versus run-time errors, with a fully traced worked program.
9 min answer →