# Row 6 Selection, Arguments

**URL:** <https://forum.code.org/t/row-6-selection-arguments/34588>\
**Category:** AP Prep\
**Created:** [April 15, 2021, 4:00pm UTC](https://forum.code.org/t/row-6-selection-arguments/34588 "2021-04-15T16:00:33Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![michael\_campbell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@michael\_campbell](https://forum.code.org/u/michael_campbell)\
**Post date:** [April 15, 2021, 4:00pm UTC](https://forum.code.org/t/row-6-selection-arguments/34588/1 "2021-04-15T16:00:33Z")

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It seems that the Function Requirments section from the Survival Guide is at odds with Example 4 and maybe even the College Board’s Scoring Guidelines.

_[Code.org](http://Code.org)’s Survival Guide, Function Requirements (which received the point)_

> Selection means that a conditional, or if-statement, selects between **two or more portions** of your program to run. Iteration simply means repeating some behavior, as in a loop.

_[Code.org](http://Code.org)’s Survival Guide, Algorithm 4_

```
function addPositives(list){
   var total = 0;
   var currentItem;
   for(var i = 0; i < list.length; i++){
      currentItem = list[i];
      if(currentItem > 0){
         total = total + list[i];
      }
   }
   return total;
}

```

_College Board’s [Scoring Guidelines](https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/pdf/ap-computer-science-principles-2021-create-performance-task-scoring-guidelines.pdf)_

> describe two calls to the selected procedure identified in written response 3c. Each call must pass a different argument(s) that causes a different segment of code in the algorithm to execute.

**Question**  
If argument A causes line x to execute and  
argument B prevents line x from executing, (example 4)  
Does that satisfy “different segments of code in the algorithm to execute”?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![jdonwells](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.code.org/jdonwells/32/7900_2.png) [@jdonwells](https://forum.code.org/u/jdonwells)\
**Post date:** [April 15, 2021, 4:05pm UTC](https://forum.code.org/t/row-6-selection-arguments/34588/2 "2021-04-15T16:05:21Z")

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It is my understanding from listening to people who actually know these things that yes, the absence of running a statement constitutes selection.

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**Author:** ![michael\_campbell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@michael\_campbell](https://forum.code.org/u/michael_campbell)\
**Post date:** [April 15, 2021, 4:19pm UTC](https://forum.code.org/t/row-6-selection-arguments/34588/3 "2021-04-15T16:19:54Z")

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I agree. However, I think it will be easier for students to write about something happening rather than something not happening.

And, [code.org](http://code.org) should clear that up on their Survival Guide.

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**Author:** ![ken](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.code.org/ken/32/6111_2.png) [@ken](https://forum.code.org/u/ken)\
**Post date:** [April 16, 2021, 2:10pm UTC](https://forum.code.org/t/row-6-selection-arguments/34588/4 "2021-04-16T14:10:55Z")

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Hi @michael\_campbel,

Thanks for bringing up this point! Like @jdonwells mentioned, from what we understand selection can mean that in one case a statement is run, and in another, the same statement is not. However, this would be a great question to pose on the College Board Forum [[link](https://apcommunity.collegeboard.org/web/apcsp/home)].

As for our examples, I will keep this in mind when we update them for next year’s curriculum. With this being the first year the exam is being scored, we will have a lot better understanding of how the rubric is implemented as we head into next year.

Thanks again for bringing this up!  
Cheers,  
Ken