Barron's AP Computer Science A

Title Page
About the Author
Copyright
Contents
Barron’s Essential 5
Preface
Acknowledgments
	Introduction
	General Information About the Exam
	How to Use This Book
Diagnostic Test
	Computer Science A Section I
	Computer Science A Section II
	Answer Key (Section I)
	Diagnostic Chart
	Answers Explained
1. Strategies for Taking the Exam
	The Multiple-Choice Section
	What Is Tested?
	Time Issues
	Guessing
	The Java Quick Reference
	An Active Pencil
	Troubleshooting—What’s Wrong with This Code?
	Loop Tracing
	Java Exceptions
	Matrix Manipulation
	Comparing Algorithms
	Mechanics of Answering Questions
	The Free-Response Section
	What Is the Format?
	What Is Tested?
	What Types of Questions?
	Skill Focus in Free-Response Questions
	The Java Quick Reference
	Time Issues
	Grading the Free-Response Questions
	Coding Issues
	Maximizing Your Score
2. Introductory Java Language Features
	Packages and Classes
	Javadoc Comments
	Types and Identifiers
	Identifiers
	Built-in Types
	Storage of Numbers
	Hexadecimal and Octal Numbers
	Final Variables
	Operators
	Arithmetic Operators
	Relational Operators
	Logical Operators
	Assignment Operators
	Increment and Decrement Operators
	Operator Precedence
	Input/Output
	Input
	Output
	Escape Sequences
	Control Structures
	Decision-Making Control Structures
	Iteration
	Errors and Exceptions
	Multiple-Choice Questions on Introductory Java Language Features
	Answer Key
	Answers Explained
3. Classes and Objects
	Objects
	Classes
	Public, Private, and Static
	Methods
	Headers
	Types of Methods
	Method Overloading
	Scope
	The this Keyword
	References
	Reference vs. Primitive Data Types
	The Null Reference
	Method Parameters
	Multiple-Choice Questions on Classes and Objects
	Answer Key
	Answers Explained
4. Inheritance and Polymorphism
	Inheritance
	Superclass and Subclass
	Inheritance Hierarchy
	Implementing Subclasses
	Declaring Subclass Objects
	Polymorphism
	Dynamic Binding (Late Binding)
	Using super in a Subclass
	Type Compatibility
	Downcasting
	Abstract Classes
	Interfaces
	Multiple-Choice Questions on Inheritance and Polymorphism
	Answer Key
	Answers Explained
5. Some Standard Classes
	The Object Class
	The Universal Superclass
	Methods in Object
	The String Class
	String Objects
	Constructing String Objects
	The Concatenation Operator
	Comparison of String Objects
	Other String Methods
	Wrapper Classes
	The Integer Class
	The Double Class
	Autoboxing and Unboxing
	The Math Class
	Random Numbers
	Multiple-Choice Questions on Some Standard Classes
	Answer Key
Answers Explained
6. Program Design and Analysis
	Software Development
	Program Specification
	Program Design
	Program Implementation
	Testing and Debugging
	Program Maintenance
	Object-Oriented Program Design
	Identifying Classes
	Identifying Behaviors
	Determining Relationships Between Classes
	UML Diagrams
	Implementing Classes
	Implementing Methods
	Vocabulary Summary
	Program Analysis
	Program Correctness
	Assertions
	Efficiency
	Multiple-Choice Questions on Program Design and Analysis
	Answer Key
	Answers Explained
7. Arrays and Array Lists
	One-Dimensional Arrays
	Initialization
	Length of Array
	Traversing a One-Dimensional Array
	Arrays as Parameters
	Array Variables in a Class
	Array of Class Objects
	Analyzing Array Algorithms
	Array Lists
	The ArrayList Class
	The Methods of ArrayList
	Autoboxing and Unboxing
	Using ArrayList
	Two-Dimensional Arrays
	Declarations
	Matrix as Array of Row Arrays
	Processing a Two-Dimensional Array
	Two-Dimensional Array as Parameter
	Multiple-Choice Questions on Arrays and Array Lists
	Answer Key
	Answers Explained
8. Recursion
	Recursive Methods
	General Form of Simple Recursive Methods
	Writing Recursive Methods
	Analysis of Recursive Methods
	Sorting Algorithms That Use Recursion
	Recursive Helper Methods
	Recursion in Two-Dimensional Grids
	Sample Free-Response Question 1
	Sample Free-Response Question 2
	Multiple-Choice Questions on Recursion
	Answer Key
	Answers Explained
9. Sorting and Searching
	Sorts: Selection and Insertion Sorts
	Selection Sort
	Insertion Sort
	Recursive Sorts: Merge Sort and Quicksort
	Merge Sort
	Quicksort
	Sorting Algorithms in Java
	Sequential Search
	Binary Search
	Analysis of Binary Search
	Multiple-Choice Questions on Sorting and Searching
	Answer Key
	Answers Explained
10. The AP Computer Science A Labs
	The Magpie Lab
	Special Emphasis
	The Elevens Lab
	Special Emphasis
	The Picture Lab
	Special Emphasis
	Multiple-Choice Questions on the Lab Concepts
	Answer Key
	Answers Explained
Practice Tests
	Practice Test 1
	Computer Science A Section I
	Computer Science A Section II
	Answer Key (Section I)
	Answers Explained
	Practice Test 2
	Computer Science A Section I
	Computer Science A Section II
	Answer Key (Section I)
	Answers Explained
Appendix: Glossary of Useful Computer Terms