AP Computer Science A Flashcards: Impact of Program Design
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 are unintended harmful effects of a program?
These are negative consequences that a program causes beyond its intended use, which were not foreseen by its creators.
Card 1 of 10
All Flashcards (10)
What are unintended harmful effects of a program?
These are negative consequences that a program causes beyond its intended use, which were not foreseen by its creators.
What is the relationship between a program's intended purpose and its actual impact?
A program's actual impact can extend beyond its intended purpose, sometimes resulting in unforeseen harmful effects.
How can programmers work to maximize system reliability?
Programmers can maximize system reliability by testing the program with a variety of conditions to ensure it performs as expected.
In what three areas can the creation of programs have major impacts?
The creation of programs can have major impacts on society, the economy, and culture.
What are the social and ethical implications of computing?
These are the impacts, both beneficial and harmful, that computing systems have on society, the economy, culture, and moral principles.
Besides their direct function, what must be considered when creating computing systems?
The social and ethical implications must be considered, as programs can have wide-ranging beneficial and harmful effects on society.
A new social media app is designed to connect friends but is later found to cause widespread anxiety among teens. What does this outcome represent?
This represents an unintended harmful effect, where a program created for a beneficial purpose has negative impacts beyond its intended use.
What is system reliability?
System reliability refers to a program's ability to perform its expected tasks under stated conditions without failure.
A developer creates a weather app but only tests it with data from sunny climates, causing it to crash during snowstorms. Which principle is being neglected?
The developer is neglecting to maximize system reliability by failing to test the program with a variety of conditions.
Are the impacts of computer programs on society always positive?
No, the impacts of programs on society, the economy, and culture can be both beneficial and harmful.