• AP Computer Science A and AP Computer Science Principles 

    AP Computer Science Principles complements the more programming-oriented AP Computer Science A course. Students can take the courses in any order, but I would highly recommend taking AP Computer Science Principles before AP Computer Science A.

    AP COMPUTER SCIENCE A 

     

    AP CSA is designed to help students cultivate their understanding of coding as they do hands-on work to design, write, and test computer programs that solve problems or accomplish tasks using Java.

    • Curriculum is focused on object-oriented programming and problem solving. 
    • Java is the designated programming language. 

     

    AP COMPUTER SCIENCE PRINCIPLES 

     

    AP® Computer Science Principles (CSP) introduces students to the foundational concepts of computer science and challenges them to explore how computing and technology impact the world. Students don’t need previous computer science experience to take this course. With a unique focus on creative problem solving and real-world applications, AP CSP prepares students for college and career.

    • Curriculum is built around the fundamentals of computing, and students engage with the course content by developing computational artifacts and analyzing data, information, or knowledge represented for computational use. 
    • Teachers choose the programming language(s). 

     

    source: https://areteem.org/blog/ap-computer-science-principles-vs-ap-computer-science-a-whats-the-difference/