AP Computer Science A Flashcards: Method Signatures
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 10 cards to help you master important concepts.
If you know what a method does but not its implementation, what programming concept allows you to use it effectively?
The concept of procedural abstraction allows you to use a method by knowing its function without needing to understand its internal code.
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If you know what a method does but not its implementation, what programming concept allows you to use it effectively?
The concept of procedural abstraction allows you to use a method by knowing its function without needing to understand its internal code.
What is the relationship between a method's return value and its signature/header?
The type of the value returned by a non-void method must match the return type declared in its header.
How do you identify the correct method to call from a set of available methods?
You identify the correct method to call by using documentation and matching the method signatures.
What is the key characteristic of a non-void method?
A non-void method returns a value that is the same type as the return type specified in its header.
How must the return value of a non-void method be handled when it is called?
To use the return value, it must be stored in a variable or used as part of an expression.
Explain the principle of procedural abstraction.
Procedural abstraction allows a programmer to use a method by knowing what the method does, even if they do not know how the method was written.
What is a method?
A method is a named block of code that only runs when it is called.
What are the two components of a method signature?
A method signature is composed of the method's name and the ordered list of its parameter types.
When does the code within a method get executed?
The code inside a method only runs when the method is called.
What constitutes a method signature for a method with parameters?
A method signature consists of the method name and the ordered list of parameter types.