AP Computer Science A Flashcards: Informal Run-Time Analysis
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.
What is a statement execution count?
A statement execution count indicates the number of times a statement is executed by the program.
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What is a statement execution count?
A statement execution count indicates the number of times a statement is executed by the program.
If an algorithm has a statement execution count of 100 and another has a count of 200 for the same task, what can you informally conclude?
You can informally conclude that the algorithm with the statement execution count of 100 has a more efficient run-time.
A single statement is inside a loop that iterates N times. What is the statement execution count for that single statement?
The statement execution count is N, as it is executed once for each iteration of the loop.
What are the two methods mentioned for informally determining execution counts?
The two methods mentioned are tracing and analysis of the iterative statements.
What is the goal of an 'informal run-time comparison' based on the provided text?
The goal is to compare the efficiency of different iterative statements by analyzing their statement execution counts.
What is the primary use of calculating statement execution counts?
The counts are used to perform an informal run-time comparison of different iterative statements.
What type of programming structure is the main focus when calculating statement execution counts for informal run-time analysis?
The main focus is on iterative statements.
How are statement execution counts informally calculated?
Statement execution counts are often calculated informally through tracing and analysis of iterative statements.
Does a higher statement execution count generally imply a longer or shorter run-time?
A higher statement execution count generally implies a longer run-time for the program.
Why is this method of counting statement executions considered an 'informal' analysis?
It is considered informal because it relies on manual tracing and high-level analysis rather than precise, formal mathematical proofs or timing measurements.