Algorithm Efficiency and Documentation

Sandy Chica from Riverside Brookfield High School presents an AP Computer Science Principles session. The video covers topics such as program documentation, procedure analysis, sum calculation, election simulation, bank simulation, average calculation, algorithm limitations, and improving game speed. Each section provides insights into programming concepts and problem-solving techniques, emphasizing the importance of documentation, testing, and optimization.

Why is program documentation important even after the program is completed?

• It is only needed during the development phase.

• It should not be changed after it is first written.

• It helps in understanding and updating the program later.

• It is useful only when programmers collaborate.

Which statement about program documentation is true?

• It is useful when programmers collaborate but not individually.

• It is only needed during the development phase.

• It should not be changed after it is first written.

• It is useful during initial development and for future modifications.

What is the purpose of the procedure to find the index in a list of names?

• To display the index of a target name if found, otherwise display zero.

• To sort the list of names alphabetically.

• To count the number of names in the list.

• To remove duplicate names from the list.

Which procedure call demonstrates that the procedure does not work as intended?

• find_name(['Andrea', 'Ben'], 'Diane')

• find_name(['Andrea', 'Ben'], 'Ben')

• find_name(['Andrea', 'Ben', 'Chris'], 'Ben')

• find_name(['Andrea', 'Diane', 'Chris'], 'Ben')

Why is it incorrect to conclude that a program works as intended after testing it with only one test case?

• The program works only for lists with non-negative numbers.

• The program works only for lists in increasing order.

• One test case is not sufficient to conclude the program is correct.

• The program does not display the correct value for the test case.

Which condition simulates 20% of voters voting for candidate A?

• random(1, 10) == 2

• random(1, 10) <= 2

• random(1, 5) <= 2

• random(1, 5) == 1

What is the purpose of using a computer simulation for the bank's customer wait times?

• To determine the average wait time without inconveniencing customers.

• To increase the number of customers visiting the bank.

• To inconvenience customers during the testing phase.

• To reduce the number of tellers in the bank.

Which change will reduce the number of operations performed in the program to display the average of all elements in a list?

• Interchanging lines 1 and 2

• Interchanging lines 5 and 6

• Interchanging lines 6 and 7

• Interchanging lines 7 and 8

Which statement is true about solving problems with algorithms?

• Every problem can be solved with an algorithm, but some may take over 100 years.

• Every problem can be solved with an algorithm, but some algorithms are yet to be discovered.

• Every problem can be solved with an algorithm in a reasonable amount of time.

• There exist problems that no algorithm will ever be able to solve for all possible inputs.

How can the running speed of a computer game be improved when the computer evaluates all potential moves?

• By programming the computer to find the best possible solution.

• By using a process that finds approximate solutions.

• By playing the game between two human players.

• By accepting that the game cannot run in a reasonable amount of time.