Chapter 1

Algorithms and Flowcharts

After studying this lesson, the students will be able to
understand the need of Algorithm and Flowcharts;
solve problems by using algorithms and flowcharts;
get clear idea about sequential, selection and iteration construct; and
understand the finite- and infinite- loop.

Introduction
Algorithm is a step-by-step process of solving a well-defined computational problem. In
practice, in order to solve any complex real life problems, first we have to define the
problem and then, design algorithm to solve it. Writing and executing a simple
program may be easy; however, for executing a bigger one, each part of the program
must be well organized. In short, algorithms are used to simplify the program
implementation. The next step is making the flowchart. It is a type of diagram that
represents an algorithm or process, showing the steps as boxes of various kinds and
their order by connecting them with arrows. Then, the flowchart will be converted into
program code.

Algorithm
An algorithm is an effective method expressed as a finite list of well defined
instructions for calculating a function, starting from an initial state and initial input. The
instructions describe a computation, which will eventually produce output, when
executed. We can use algorithm to solve any kind of problems. However, before writing
a program, we need to write the steps to solve the problem in simple English language.
This step-by-step procedure to solve the problem is called algorithm.
Example
Let us take one simple day-to-day example by writing algorithm for making Maggi
Noodles as a food.

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Step 1: Start
Step 2: Take pan with water
Step 3: Put pan on the burner
Step 4: Switch on the gas/burner
Step 5: Put magi and masala
Step 6: Give two minutes to boil
Step 7: Take off the pan
Step 8: Take out the magi with the help of fork/spoon
Step 9: Put the maggi on the plate and serve it
Step 10: Stop.
Further, the way of execution of the program shall be categorized into three ways: (i)
sequence statements; (ii) selection statements; and (iii) iteration or looping statements.
This is also called as control structure.
Sequence statements: In this program, all the instructions are executed one after
another.
Example
Write an algorithm to print Good Morning.
Step 1: Start
Step 2: Print Good Morning
Step 3: Stop
Example
Write an algorithm to find area of a rectangle.
Step 1: Start
Step 2: Take length and breadth and store them as L and B?
Step 3: Multiply by L and B and store it in area
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Step 4: Print area

Step 5: Stop
In the above mentioned two examples (Example II and III), all the instructions are
executed one after another. These examples are executed under sequential statement.
Selective Statements: In this program, some portion of the program is executed based
upon the conditional test. If the conditional test is true, compiler will execute some part
of the program, otherwise it will execute the other part of the program.
Example
Write an algorithm to check whether he is eligible to vote? (more than or equal to 18
years old).
Step 1: Start
Step 2: Take age and store it in age
Step 3: Check age value, if age >= 18 then go to step 4 else step 5
Step 4: Print Eligible to vote and go to step 6
Step 5: Print Not eligible to vote
Step 6: Stop
Example
Write an algorithm to check whether given number is +ve, -ve or zero.
Step 1: Start
Step 2: Take any number and store it in n.
Step 3: Check n value, if n > 0 then go to step 5 else go to step 4
Step 4: Check n value, if n < 0 then go to step 6 else go to step 7
Step 5: Print Given number is +ve and go to step 8
Step 6: Print Given number is -ve and go to step 8

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Step 7: Print Given number is zero

Step 8: Stop
In the above mentioned examples IV and V, all the statements are not executed, but
based upon the input, some portions of the algorithm are executed, because we have
true or false situation in the program.
Iterative statements: In some programs, certain set of statements are executed again
and again based upon conditional test. i.e. executed more than one time. This type of
execution is called looping or iteration.
Example
Write an algorithm to print all natural numbers up to n.
Step 1: Start
Step 2: Take any number and store it in n.
Step 3: Store 1 in I
Step 4: Check I value, if I<=n then go to step 5 else go to step 8
Step 5: Print I
Step 6: Increment I value by 1
Step 5: Go to step 4
Step 8: Stop
In the above example, steps 4, 5, 6 and 7 are executed more than one time.

Flowchart
In the previous section of this chapter, we have learnt to write algorithms, i.e. step-bystep process of solving a problem. We can also show these steps in graphical form by
using some symbols. This is called flowcharting.

Flowchart Symbols
Some of the standard symbols along with respective function(s) that are used for
making flowchart are as follows:

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Symbols

Functions

1.

Start/stop

2.

Input/output

3.

Processing

4.

Decision Box

5.

Flow of control

6.

Connector

The following flowchart is an example of a sequential execution.

Example
Draw a flowchart to find the simple interest. (Sequence)

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Solution:
Start

Input P,R,T

SI=P*R*T/100
Print SI

Stop
The following flowchart is an example of a selective execution.
Example
Draw a flowchart to find bigger number among two numbers (selective)
Solution:
Start

Input A, B

Yes

No
IS
A>B
Print B is Big

Print A is Big

Stop

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The following are the examples (VIII & IX) of an iterative execution.
Example
Draw a flow chart to find factorial of any number.
Solution:
Start

Input N

I=1
F=1

Is I<=N
No

Yes

Print F

F=F*I
I=I+1

Stop

Example
Draw a flow chart to find biggest number among n numbers.

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Solution:
Start

Input n

Input A

I=1
Big =A

No

Big=A
I=I+1

Is
I<=n

Yes
Input A

Print Big
Is Big<A
Yes
Stop

No
I=I+1

Finite and Infinite loop

In looping statements, if some set of statements are executed n times (fixed number of
times), then it is called finite loop. At the same time, if some set of statements are
executed again and again without any end (infinite times), then it is called infinite
loop. For example (X), if we are not incrementing I (index) value, then we will get
endless (infinite) loop. The following is an example of infinite loop.

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Example
Draw a flow chart to print the number from 1 to .
Solution:
Start

Input N

I=1

No

Yes
Is I<=N

Stop

Print I

In the above example I value is not at all incremented, so it will create endless loop.
This is also called infinite loop.
Note: Set of statements is executed again and again without any end is called infinite
loop.

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EXERCISE
Multiple choice questions:
1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

A step by step method for solving a problem using English Language

(a)

program

(b)

Flowchart

(c)

statement

(d)

Algorithm

Set of statements is executed based upon conditional test.

(a)

Looping

(b)

Selective

(c)

Sequence

(d)

None

Set of statements is executed again and again based upon conditional test.
(a)

Looping

(b)

Selective

(c)

Sequence

(d)

None

The graphical representation of algorithm is

(a)

program

(b)

Flowchart

(c)

statement

(d)

Algorithm

All instructions are executed one after other.

(a)

Looping

(b)

Selective

(c)

Sequence

(d)

None

Answer the following questions.

1.

Define Algorithm.

2.

Define Flowchart.

3.

Write an algorithm to find the sum of two numbers.

4.

Write an algorithm to find the area of a triangle.

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5.

Write an algorithm to find whether given number is odd or even.

6.

Write an algorithm to find the sum of all even number up to given number.

7.

Draw a flowchart to find the area of a circle.

9.

Draw a flowchart to find the smallest number among n numbers.

10.

Draw a flowchart to find the sum of all multiples of 5 up to given number.

11.

Mona is confused about finite loop and infinite loop, explain her with the help of
example.

12.

Write an algorithm and a flowchart to find sum of n numbers.

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Chapter 2

Programming Methodology
After studying this lesson, the students will be able to
understand the need for good programs;
understand how to solve problems using different ways;
get clear idea about problem solving methodology; and
understand the types of errors normally occur while writing programs.

Introduction
Learning to write computer program is very much like learning any skill. First, we
should understand the problems well and then try to solve it in a logical manner. For
example: We have read many books available in the market for describing the car
driving methods. However, we can learn driving once we actually get into the car and
start driving it. The same logic is applied in computer programming also. Computer
programming is the process of writing, testing, troubleshooting, debugging and
maintaining of a computer program.
An effective program is that which gives result of all different inputs, including wrong
input also. While creating program, we need to follow certain systematic approach. This
systematic approach comprises two steps/things, viz., program structure and program
representation. The program structure is implemented by using top-down or bottom-up
approach and is known as popular approach, while the program representation plays
an important role in making the program more readable and understandable.

What is a Good Program?

A Good Program means that it should produce correct and faster results, taking into
account all the memory constraints. While making good program, we need to follow
certain guidelines of programming language for creating a successful program. The
following is the list of good programming habits that most people agree.

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Clarity and Simplicity of Expression

Expressions are used to implement a particular task. It is a combination of Operators,
Operands and Constants. Any expression used in the program should be understood by
the user. The followings are some of the points to be kept in mind while using
expressions in a program.
(i)

Use library functions to make programs more powerful

Example
To find output = x6
Output = X *X * X * X * X * X
We can use output = power (X, 6)

(ii)

Follow simplicity to maintain the clarity of expression

Example
X = A+B U +VY
A-B

X+Y

Then, we can write

X1 = (A+B) / (A-B)
X2 = (U+V*Y) / (X +Y)
X = X1 X2
(iii) Avoid program tricks usage, whose meaning is difficult to understand by the
user.

Use of proper names for identifiers

Identifiers are user defined names. They are used to name things. A name is associated
with a function or data object (constants and variables) and used to refer to that
function or data object. Identifiers are made up of letters (A-Z, a-z), digits (0-9), and the
underscore character ( _ ). They, however, must begin with a letter or underscore and
not with a digit.

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(i)

Give meaningful name for variable (data object) and function.

Example
To calculate Area of a Square
We use the variable names are Area and Side
Area = Side * Side.

(ii)

Use proper names for constants.

Example
= 3.14
Give Pi = 3.14

(iii) Do not use same name like custom, customer or account, accountant.
(iv) Do not use one letter identifiers.

Comments
A comment is a programming language construct, which is used to embed
programmer-readable annotations in the source code of a computer program. Those
annotations are potentially significant to programmers but typically ignorable to
compilers and interpreters. Comments are usually added with the purpose of making
the source code easy to understand. Hence, add comments to your code in simple
English language that describes the function of the code and the reason for your
decision to do it in a particular way as well. They are generally categorized as either
block comment or line comment. Block comment is implemented in python by
and and line comment is implemented by #.
Example
"Write a program to print all numbers from 1 to 100 using while loop in python"
A=1
while (a<100):

# While statement

print a
a = a+1
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Indentation
Leading white space (spaces and taps) at the beginning of each statement, which is used
to determine the group of statement, is known as indentation.
Example
If A > B :
print A is Big

# Block1

else:
print B is Big

# Block2

In the above example, if statements are a type of code block. If the if expression
evaluates to true, then Block1 is executed, otherwise, it executes Block2. Obviously,
blocks can have multiple lines. As long as they are all indented with the same amount
of spaces, they constitute one block.

Characteristics of good programming

Every

computer

needs

proper

instruction

set

(programs)

to

perform

the

required/assigned task. The quality of the program depends upon the instructions
given to it. However, it is required to feed/provide the proper and correct instructions
to the computer in order to yield/provide a correct and desired output. Hence, a
program should be developed to ensure proper functionality of the computer and also
should be easy to understand. A computer program should have some important
characteristics, which are as follows:

Flexibility
A program should be flexible enough to handle most of the changes without having to
rewrite the entire program. A flexible program is used to serve many purposes. For
example, CAD (Computer Aided Design) software is used for different purposes such
as; engineering drafting, printing circuit board layout and design, architectural design,
technical drawing, industrial art, etc. Most of the programs are being developed for
certain period and they need updation during the course of time.

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User Friendly
A program that can be easily understood by a beginner is called user friendly. It must
interact with user through understandable messages. In addition, the proper message
for the user to input data and to display the result, besides making the program easily
understandable and modifiable.

Portability
Portability refers to the ability of an application to run on different platforms (operating
systems) with or without minimal changes. Since the change of platform is a common
phenomenon nowadays, due to the developments in hardware and the software,
portability has to be taken care of it. In case, a program is developed for a particular
platform, it would become obsolete after a certain period of time. At the same time, if a
program that is developed does have the ability to work on different platforms, it
makes software more useable. High language programs are often more portable than
assembly language programs.

Reliability
It is the ability of a program to do its intended function accurately even if there are even
small changes in the computer system. Moreover, the program must be able to handle
unexpected situation like wrong input or no input. The programs, which save such
ability are known as reliable. For example, if the user does/gives wrong information to
input, it should display a proper error message.

Self-Documenting Code
The source code, which uses suitable name for the identifiers (variables and methods),
is called self-documenting code. Also, giving proper name for variables and methods
would tell the reader of your code clearly -what is it doing? Hence, a good program
must have a self-documenting code.

Problem solving process

The problem solving process starts with the problem specifications and ends with a
concrete (and correct) program. Programming means a problem solving activity, which
consists of four steps. They are;

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(i)

Understanding the problem;

(ii)

Devising a plan;

(iii) Executing the plan; and

(iv) Evaluation

Understanding the problem

The first step is to understand the problem well. It may be very difficult to understand
the problem but it is crucial. In general, one must find out the output from the given
data (input data) and assess the relationship between input and output data. It is also
important to verify whether the given information is sufficient to solve the problem or
not.

Devising a plan
It means drawing an action plan to solve the problem, once understood. A plan is
devised from data processing to the result according to the relationship that links both
of them. If the problem is trivial, this step will not require much thinking.

Executing the plan

Once the plan is defined, it should follow the plan of action completely and each
element of the plan should be checked as it is applied. In the course of execution, if any
part of the plan is found to be unsatisfactory, the plan should be revised.

Evaluation
Finally, the result should be examined in order to make sure that it is valid and that the
problem has been solved completely.

Problem solving methodology

As we all know, there are many methods/approaches available to solve a particular
problem. However, the efficient way is to adopt a systematic method of problem
solving. The use of systematic method of problem solving is crucial when we use a
computer to solve a problem.

We introduce here a seven steps problem solving

method, which is closely related to the software life cycle (the various stages in the life

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of a program), that can be adapted by each person to solve the problem in their own
style. They are given as under:
1.

Problem Definition

2.

Problem Analysis

3.

Design the problem

4.

Coding

5.

Program Testing and Debugging

6.

Documentation

7.

Program Maintenance

Problem Definition/Specification (Theme)

Computer programs are written to solve problems posed by humankind. Prior to
writing a program, one has to understand a description of the problem to solve. This
description may be very precise or vague, but nevertheless, it is necessary/present. For
instance, if you want to write a program to Find the average of five numbers, you
should ask yourself:
What does average mean exactly?
How to calculate average value?
Posing such questions compels you to define the problem very precisely. Once you are
sure of what the problem entails, you must write down a list of specifications.
Specifications are precise definitions of what the program must do. It must include the
following at least:
Input: what data must be included as input and in which form?
Output: what data must the program produce and in which form? (in order to
solve the problem)
Note: At the end of the problem definition step, you should have a list of
specifications.

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Problem Analysis
In this step, the problem has to be fragmented into smaller and manageable parts. The
original problem has to be analyzed and divided into a number of sub-problems as
these sub-problems are easier to solve and their solutions would become the
components of the final program. Each sub-problem is divided into further smaller ones
and this fragmentation has to be continued to achieve simple solutions. The use of
modular programming is to get proper solution.
Modular Programming: Modular Programming is the act of designing and writing
programs as functions (a large program is divided into the small individual
components) that each one performs, a single well-defined function, which has minimal
interaction between the sub-programs. It means that the content of each function is
cohesive and there is low coupling between them. There are two methods available for
modular programming. They are: top-down design and bottom-up design.
Top-Down design: The principles of top-down design dictate that a program should be
divided into a main module and its related module. Each module should also be
divided into sub modules according to software engineering and programming style.
The division continues till the module consists only of an elementary process that is
intrinsically understood and cannot be further sub-divided.
Bottom-up design: Bottom-up design is just the opposite of top-down design. It refers
to a style of programming, in which, an application is constructed with existing
primitives of the programming language and then gradually more and more
complicated features are added till applications are written. In other words, initiating
the design with simple modules and then build them into more complex structures
ending at the top is bottom-up design.

Designing the problem

Designing the problem can be expressed in the form of
Algorithm
Flowchart
Algorithm: An algorithm is a set of instructions that describe a method for solving a
problem. It is normally given in mix of computer code and English language. This is
often called pseudo-code.
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Flowchart: The algorithm is represented in the form of a diagram with action boxes
linked by lines showing the order in which they are executed. This is known as the
flow of control. It is the diagrammatic representation of an algorithm.

Coding
The process of translating the algorithm into syntax of a given language is known as
Coding. Since algorithm cannot be executed directly by the computer, it has to be
translated into a programming language.

Program Testing and Debugging

Program Testing means running the program, executing all its instructions/ functions
and testing the logic by entering sample data in order to check the output. Debugging is
the process of finding and correcting the errors in the program code.
Type of errors: There are three types of errors generally occur during compilation and
running a program. They are (i) Syntax error; (ii) Logical error; and (iii) Runtime error.
Syntax error: Every programming language has its own rules and regulations (syntax).
If we overcome the particular language rules and regulations, the syntax error will
appear (i.e. an error of language resulting from code that does not conform to the syntax
of the programming language). It can be recognized during compilation time.
Example
a=0
while a < 10
a=a+1
print a
In the above statement, the second line is not correct. Since the while statement does not
end with :. This will flash a syntax error.
Logical error: Programmer makes errors while writing program that is called logical
error. It is an error in a program's source code that results in incorrect or unexpected
result. It is a type of runtime error that may simply produce the wrong output or may
cause a program to crash while running. The logical error might only be noticed during
runtime, because it is often hidden in the source code and are typically harder to find
and debug.
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a = 100
while a < 10:
a=a+1
print a
In the above example, the while loop will not execute even a single time, because the
initial value of a is 100.
Runtime error: A runtime error is an error that causes abnormal termination of
program during running time. In general, the dividend is not a constant but might be a
number typed by you at runtime. In this case, division by zero is illogical. Computers
check for a "division by zero" error during program execution, so that you can get a
"division by zero" error message at runtime, which will stop your program abnormally.
This type of error is called runtime error.
Example
(a)

A=10
B=0
print A/B

(b)

During running time, if we try to open a file that does not exist in the hard disk,
then it will create runtime error.

Documentation
The documentation includes the problem definition, design documents, a description of
the test perform, a history of the program development and its different versions and a
users manual. Such a manual is designed for a naive user and illustrates the
preparation of input data, running the program and obtaining & interpreting the
results.

Program maintenance
It is not directly part of the original implementation process, but needs special
emphasis. All activities that occur after a program operation are part of the program
maintenance. Many large programs have long life span that often exceed the lifetime of

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the hardware they run on. Usually, the expenditure for the program maintenance will
be more than the developmental cost of the program. The program maintenance
includes the following:
Finding and eliminating previously undetected program errors;
Modifying the current program, often to improve its performance, or to adapt to
new laws or government regulations, or to adapt to a new hardware, or to a new
operating system;
Adding new features or a better user interface, or new capabilities to the program;
and
Updating the documentation.
Maintenance is an important part of the life cycle of a program. It is also important as
far as documentation is concerned, since any change pertaining to a program will
require updating of internal as well as external documentation. Maintenance
documentation will include results of the program development steps, design
documents, program code and test information.

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EXERCISE
Multiple choice questions:
1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

User Define name.

(a)

Identifier

(b) constant

(c)

syntax

(d) expression

If we overcome the rules of the programming language, we get

(a)

Runtime error

(b)

Syntax error

(c)

logical error

(d) None of the above.

Correcting the program code:

(a)

Testing

(b)

Syntax error

(c)

Runtime error

(d) Debugging

Designing the problem

(a)

Testing

(b)

Debugging

(c)

logical error

(d) Algorithm

Algorithm when translated into a programming language is called

(a)

Flowchart

(b)

Identifier

(c)

Code

(d) Debugging

The program must be able to handle unexpected situation like wrong input or no
input.

7.

(a)

Error

(b)

Expression

(c)

Portability

(d) Reliability

Leading white space at the beginning of each statement, which is used to

determine the group of statement.
(a)

Testing

(b)

Indentation

(c)

Debugging

(d) None of the above

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8.

It refers to the ability of an application to run on different platforms with or

without minimal changes.

9.

10.

(a)

Error

(b)

Flexibility

(c)

Portability

(d) Reliability

It is a combination of Operators, Operands and Constants.

(a)

Identifier

(b)

Expression

(c)

Syntax

(d) Task

Each module should also be divided into sub modules according to software
engineering and programming style.
(a)

Top down method

(b)

Bottom up method

(c)

Coding

(d) None of the above

Answer the following questions.

1.

What is a good program?

2.

What is an identifier?

3.

How to write comments in a program?

4.

What is the purpose of expression? Explain with an example.

5.

Write and explain all steps of programming methodology.

6.

Differentiate between runtime errors and logical errors.

7.

Define documentation.

8.

What is program maintenance?

9.

Define modular programming.

10.

Differentiate between top down and bottom up methods of modular

programming.

11.

Explain types of errors with examples.

12.

How to maintain programs?

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13.

Write all steps of program methodology?

14.

What do you mean by clarity and simplicity of expression?

15.

What do you mean by flexibility?

16.

Explain all steps of problem solving process.

17.

What is indentation? Explain with an example.

18.

What do you mean by debugging?

19.

What is the use of self documenting code in programming?

20.

What is the purpose of giving meaningful name for identifiers?

95