AP Computer Science

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usna2019AR

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Jul 21, 2017
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41
Hello!
I'm a junior in highschool right now and I was wondering which would prep me better for the naval academy, ap computer science A or ap computer science principles? Only reason I'm asking is because computer science A is strictly java and programming and I know that principles is more about applying it to the real world and using different coding languages besides java. Keep in mind I'm in ap computer science A right now, but if I should take AP computer science principles, I'm going to try to convince my guidance counselor to switch me.
Thanks!
 
I'm still in high school but, having taken both classes, I'd recommend A since it teaches you real programming. Principles doesn't give you a ton of help actually coding and even though A is based on java, it is pretty easy to go between languages once you have the basis for one.
Just my two cents
 
+1 to qwertyuiopsmile. As a professional software engineer for 38 years I can attest that it's easy to switch between programming languages once you've mastered your first one. I did it all the time and was usually self-educated on the new language. They all have different ways of doing the same thing... and they all have different strengths and weaknesses. No big deal.
 
kinnem said:
+1 to qwertyuiopsmile. As a professional software engineer for 38 years I can attest that it's easy to switch between programming languages once you've mastered your first one. I did it all the time and was usually self-educated on the new language. They all have different ways of doing the same thing... and they all have different strengths and weaknesses. No big deal.
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So you think I should just stick with CPA?
 
qwertyuiopsmile said:
I'm still in high school but, having taken both classes, I'd recommend A since it teaches you real programming. Principles doesn't give you a ton of help actually coding and even though A is based on java, it is pretty easy to go between languages once you have the basis for one.
Just my two cents
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Ok thanks
 
I took AP CSA last year, and compared to CSP, I just don't know if I would've gotten as deep as an education as I got with CSA. I recommend sticking with Computer Science A, cause 1, it's an actual language, and 2, you learn about different properties of the language that are also present in many other languages like recursion, different types of sorts, OOP, all that fun stuff. So that's my little input on it. Both classes are good though, take both if you please.
 
From an Admissions perspective...I suspect that it really doesn't matter. USNA is more concerned with performance in math (calculus) and science (chemistry/physics) than computer science. A current Midn might be able to tell you which is more helpful or relevant once in.
 
I'm a faculty member in the Computer Science department at USNA. You will be better off learning Java and taking AP Computer Science. This is directly relevant to one of the CS and IT major core courses, and some students are then able to test out of the class and skip it. The AP Principles exam doesn't go as much in depth technically-speaking, and will not prepare you as well.

Best of luck. If you attend USNA, come visit us in the CS department. We'd love to meet you!
 
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