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AP Computer Science A

A free AP Computer Science A curriculum in Java, with slides, labs, and game projects.

1,244 interactive problems.

New: Teachers can now log in, enroll their students, and assign problem sets that follow the new 2025 CSA curriculum. Live coding problems and a full Java IDE are included.

This is a resource for teachers and students for AP Computer Science A and has recently been updated. This curriculum follows the newly revised 2025 College Board curriculum, which consists of 4 units. In addition, the emphasis is to help students learn how to code 2D arcade games using Processing. In particular, students will work on writing a full platformer game like Super Mario from scratch.

Lecture Notes

The following powerpoint lecture slides are adapted from the book Building Java Programs: A Back to Basics Approach by Stuart Reges and Marty Stepp as well as the Runestone's CS Awesome curriculum.

Unit 1: Using Objects and Methods

1.Basic Java SyntaxPPT — Basic Java SyntaxPDF — Basic Java Syntax
2.Variables and DatatypesPPT — Variables and DatatypesPDF — Variables and Datatypes
3.Arithmetic OperationsPPT — Arithmetic OperationsPDF — Arithmetic Operations
4.User Input with Scanner (background, keyboard input is not assessed)PPT — User Input with Scanner (background, keyboard input is not assessed)PDF — User Input with Scanner (background, keyboard input is not assessed)
5.Methods: Signatures and CallingPPT — Methods: Signatures and CallingPDF — Methods: Signatures and Calling
6.Math ClassPPT — Math ClassPDF — Math Class
7.Objects: Instances of ClassesPPT — Objects: Instances of ClassesPDF — Objects: Instances of Classes
8.StringsPPT — StringsPDF — Strings

Unit 2: Selection and Iteration

1.Boolean Expressions and if-else-else if statementsPPT — Boolean Expressions and if-else-else if statementsPDF — Boolean Expressions and if-else-else if statements
2.Compound Boolean Expressions and Comparing ObjectsPPT — Compound Boolean Expressions and Comparing ObjectsPDF — Compound Boolean Expressions and Comparing Objects
3.While LoopsPPT — While LoopsPDF — While Loops
4.For LoopsPPT — For LoopsPDF — For Loops
5.Nested Iteration and Informal Run-Time AnalysisPPT — Nested Iteration and Informal Run-Time AnalysisPDF — Nested Iteration and Informal Run-Time Analysis

(*Optional*)Computer Animation with Processing

1.The BasicsPPT — The BasicsPDF — The Basics
Introduction to Processing LabZIP — Introduction to Processing Lab
Bouncing Ball LabZIP — Bouncing Ball Lab
2.Working with ImagesPPT — Working with ImagesPDF — Working with Images
Controlling an Image with the Keyboard LabZIP — Controlling an Image with the Keyboard Lab
3.Collision DetectionPPT — Collision DetectionPDF — Collision Detection
Tank Collects Coins Lab(Processing)ZIP — Tank Collects Coins Lab(Processing)
4.Simple Platformer Game(Mario)PPT — Simple Platformer Game(Mario)PDF — Simple Platformer Game(Mario)
Simple Platformer(Processing, requires Arraylists)ZIP — Simple Platformer(Processing, requires Arraylists)

Unit 3: Class Creation

1.Abstraction and Program DesignPPT — Abstraction and Program DesignPDF — Abstraction and Program Design
2.Impact of Program Design (incl. using AI to write code)PPT — Impact of Program Design (incl. using AI to write code)PDF — Impact of Program Design (incl. using AI to write code)
3.Anatomy of a Java ClassPPT — Anatomy of a Java ClassPDF — Anatomy of a Java Class
Implementing the Sprite ClassZIP — Implementing the Sprite Class
Controlling a Sprite Using the KeyboardZIP — Controlling a Sprite Using the Keyboard
4.Writing MethodsPPT — Writing MethodsPDF — Writing Methods
5.Variables, Scope and SemanticsPPT — Variables, Scope and SemanticsPDF — Variables, Scope and Semantics

Unit 4: Data Collections

1.Ethical and Social Issues Around Data CollectionPPT — Ethical and Social Issues Around Data CollectionPDF — Ethical and Social Issues Around Data Collection
2.Introduction to Using Data SetsPPT — Introduction to Using Data SetsPDF — Introduction to Using Data Sets
3.Introduction to ArraysPPT — Introduction to ArraysPDF — Introduction to Arrays
Largest Ball Object LabZIP — Largest Ball Object Lab
4.For Each and Array AlgorithmsPPT — For Each and Array AlgorithmsPDF — For Each and Array Algorithms
5.Using Text FilesPPT — Using Text FilesPDF — Using Text Files
6.Wrapper ClassesPPT — Wrapper ClassesPDF — Wrapper Classes
7.Introduction to ArrayListsPPT — Introduction to ArrayListsPDF — Introduction to ArrayLists
ArrayList Lab(Processing)ZIP — ArrayList Lab(Processing)
Tank Collects Coins Lab(Processing)ZIP — Tank Collects Coins Lab(Processing)
8.2D ArraysPPT — 2D ArraysPDF — 2D Arrays
Connect-Four Lab(Processing)ZIP — Connect-Four Lab(Processing)
9.Searching and SortingPPT — Searching and SortingPDF — Searching and Sorting
10.RecursionPPT — RecursionPDF — Recursion
Fractal Circle Lab(Processing)ZIP — Fractal Circle Lab(Processing)
Sierspinski Triangle Lab(Processing)ZIP — Sierspinski Triangle Lab(Processing)

Preparing for the AP Exam

1.Preparation for the AP ExamPPT — Preparation for the AP ExamPDF — Preparation for the AP Exam

How to Write a Platformer Game in JavaHTML — How to Write a Platformer Game in Java

In this short video series course, we will learn how to write a platformer (or side-scrolling) game like Super Mario. We will write this game from scratch with very basic algebra without relying on any physics engine! Here's a short 2-minute preview of the game. The entire Youtube playlist for this curriculum can be found here. The webpage including labs for the curriculum is here.

Coding Challenges

A series of coding challenges. Most are mathematical in focus and require some trignometry. The distribution code is included and provides a template for completing the code. Processing is used for the animation challenges.

1.Ball Bounces Off AnglesHTML — Ball Bounces Off Angles

This animation challenge simulates a ball drop on an uneven ground. (Demo, Tutorial, Distribution Code) Solutions can be found here.

2.Inverse Kinematics: Pulling A StringHTML — Inverse Kinematics: Pulling A String

This animation challenge simulates pulling a string with the mouse. (Demo, Tutorial, Distribution Code)

3.Billiard Ball Collisions

This animation challenge simulates collisions of billiard balls in 2D. (Tutorial, Distribution Code) Solutions to the two-ball case and the many-ball case with the glitch fix.

Final Projects

Below are some of the most creative programming projects from my students at Boston Latin School. All are written in Java using the Processing IDE and ported to Javascript using ProcessingJS for the browser. I have only tested this on Google Chrome. Let me know if there are any errors. The basic requirements are that their programs are object-oriented with at least three or more objects and that inheritance and polymorphisms are used in a sensible way. Click on the project title to play.

Eel: 3D Snake Game by Adam Grant.Link — Eel: 3D Snake Game by Adam Grant.
Tetris by Jason Mar.Link — Tetris by Jason Mar.
Space Wars by Ricky Ciliberto.Link — Space Wars by Ricky Ciliberto.
Shooter by Ricky Ciliberto.Link — Shooter by Ricky Ciliberto.
Tiny Tanks by Ben Givertz.Link — Tiny Tanks by Ben Givertz.
Star Wars Galaga by Damon Prum.Link — Star Wars Galaga by Damon Prum.
Tron by Rachel Lee.Link — Tron by Rachel Lee.
Space Invaders by Kathy Mei.Link — Space Invaders by Kathy Mei.
Flippy Bird by John Mikulskis.Link — Flippy Bird by John Mikulskis.
Crazy Snakey by John Mikulskis.Link — Crazy Snakey by John Mikulskis.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.