Computing

Studies Software Design

and Development

Reading & Writing

Haggis Pseudocode

&

Buckhaven High School

Version 1
Reading &Writing Haggis Pseudocode

Contents
Page 1 How to use this booklet.
Page 2 What is Haggis?
Page 3 Formatting Rules of Haggis.
Page 4 Assigning Values to Variable
Expressions to Output Data
Page 5 Expressions Using Arithmetic Operators
Expressions to Concatenate Strings
Page 6 Selection Constructs Using Simple Conditions and Logical Operators
Selection Constructs Using Complex Conditions and Logical Operators
Page 7 Iteration and Repetition Using Fixed Loops
Page 8 Iteration and Repetition Using Conditional Loops
Pre-Defined Functions with Parameters
Page 9 A Few Worked Examples

How to use this booklet

This booklet has been written to aid covering the following content in National 4 and National 5
Computing.
National 4 National 5
Computational Constructs Exemplification and Exemplification and
implementation of the following implementation of the following
constructs: constructs:
Ÿ expressions to assign values to Ÿ expressions to assign values to
variables variables
Ÿ expressions to return values Ÿ expressions to return values
using arithmetic operations using arithmetic operations
(+,-,*,/,^) (+,-,*,/,^,mod)
Ÿ execution of lines of code in Ÿ expressions to concatenate
sequence demonstrating input - strings and arrays using the
process - output operator
Ÿ use of selection constructs Ÿ use of selection constructs
including simple conditional including simple and complex
statements conditional statements and
Ÿ iteration and repetition using logical operators
fixed and conditional loops Ÿ iteration and repetition using
fixed and conditional loops
Ÿ pre-determined functions (with
parameters
Data Types and Structures string string, character
numeric (integer) variables numeric (integer and real)
graphical objects boolean variables
1-D arrays
Algorithm Specification Exemplification and
implementation of algorithms
including
Ÿ input validation
Design notations Ÿ graphical to illustrate selection Ÿ Pseudocode to exemplify
and iteration programming constructs
Ÿ other contemporary design Ÿ other contemporary design
notations notations

1 Written by Mr G. Reid, PTC Technologies, Buckhaven High School - Sept 2013

 Reading & Writing Haggis Pseudocode

What is Haggis?
Definition - Haggis is a standardised design methodology used by the
Scottish Qualification Authority (SQA) in place of a programming
language for the purpose of asking coding questions in assessments
or exams.

Haggis is very similar to a programming language in that is has strictly defined syntax and rules. The
inflexibility of Haggis syntax is not a usual feature of pseudocode as users would usually write
pseudocode algorithms in natural language. This inflexibility is a necessary evil as the purpose of Haggis
to set a standard across Scotland and therefore ensure that both staff and pupils are well prepared for exam
questions.

This guide will help staff prepare their pupils for the new exams by explaining the ins and outs of Haggis
syntax in reference to the following sections:
Ÿ Assigning values to variables
Ÿ Expressions to output data
Ÿ Expressions using arithmetic operators
Ÿ Expressions to concatenate strings
Ÿ Selection constructs including simple/complex conditions and logical operators
Ÿ Iteration and Repetition using fixed and conditional loops
Ÿ Pre-defined functions with parameters

Note that Haggis syntax only applies to the final refinement of a problem. In your pseudocode’s main
algorithm you should outline a problem that requires further refinement by using < >.
For example, the algorithm below shows two completed “Haggis” lines and four lines that require further
refinement.
Line 1 RECEIVE numberOfItems FROM (INTEGER) KEYBOARD
Line 2 <Calculate the total cost of purchases>
Line 3 <Get valid type of customer>
Line 4 SET vatTotal TO 0.175*totalCost
Line 5 <Calculate final cost>
Line 6 <Display purchase details>

This guide may also be given to pupils as a reference document to help them interpret pseudocode.

It is important to note that pupils will never be expected to write Haggis code in an exam. They will
always be given the option “using pseudocode or a programming language of your choice” when
answering coding questions.

SDD 2
Reading &Writing Haggis Pseudocode

Formatting rules of Haggis?

1. Keywords
All Haggis command words should be capitalised.
SET
FOR
WHILE etc

2. Line Numbers
Haggis uses a numbering system for lines of code and refinements. Lines should be numbered as
shown below using a capital L and a single space before each number.
Line 1
Line 2
Line 3

A refinement of line 2 would be written as:

Line 2.1
Line 2.2
Line 2.3

3. Indentation
The beginning and end of some constructs (REPEAT..UNTIL, IF..END IF) should be highlighted
by indenting the code between. For example,

Line 1 REPEAT
Line 2 SET total = total + 5
Line 3 UNTIL total =100

Ensure code does not look like this,

Line 1 REPEAT
Line 2 SET total = total + 5
Line 3 UNTIL total =100
To avoid confusion, staff should use tab markers or a table to ensure code is clearly lined up.

4. Variable Names
Simple variable names (one word) should be written in lower case. For example,
total
surname

Where the user wishes to use a longer variable name (two or more words) the second word should
be emphasised with a capital letter. For example,
firstName
secondNumber

5. Data
Where a numeric value is used in Haggis the number on its own is enough.
SET number TO 973

The use of text is indicated by using “”.

SET name TO “Greg”

3 Written by Mr G. Reid, PTC Technologies, Buckhaven High School - Sept 2013

 Reading & Writing Haggis Pseudocode

Assigning Values to Variables

The command words SET & TO are used to assign values to variables.

Numeric assignment example:

SET number TO 973
String assignment example:
SET name TO “Greg”
Array assignment examples:
SET names[3] TO “Clare”
SET names[loop] TO “John”

Variables may also be assigned values as part of an input statement - RECEIVE & FROM

Variable name

RECEIVE stockItem FROM (STRING) KEYBOARD

The syntax notes the variable type The final part of the receive line states the device
being received as input: that the input is being received from:
CHARACTER KEYBOARD
STRING MOUSE
INTEGER SENSOR
REAL TOUCHSCREEN
BOOLEAN WEB CAM
MICROPHONE
Note, due to the level of programming at N4/N5,
the majority of questions will probably receive
simple input from a keyboard.

Expressions to Output Data

The command words SEND & TO are used to output data to a variety of devices. A few examples are
listed below.
Numeric SEND 23 TO DISPLAY
Variable SEND total TO DISPLAY
String SEND “The total is:” TO DISPLAY
Alternative SEND on TO MOTOR
SEND “print this text” TO PRINTER

SDD 4
Reading &Writing Haggis Pseudocode

Expressions Using Arithmetic Operators

Arithmetic operators (+,-,/,*,^,mod) are normally used with a SET or SEND :

SET number TO 911+34
SET number TO 34/7
SET number TO 23-7
SET number TO 2^2
SEND 34*78 TO DISPLAY
SEND mod(34.5) TO DISPLAY
SET total TO num1 + num2

Arithmetic operators may also be combined in statements:

SET number TO (45+5)/2

Arithmetic operators may occasionally be seen in conditional statements:

IF numOne + numTwo >= 100 THEN SEND “Pass” TO DISPLAY

Expressions to Concatenate Strings

Text, number & variables may be concatenated with an ampersand (&) and enclosed by [ ] brackets:
SET errorMessage TO [“Device failed due to fault number” & faultNumber]
SEND [“Device failed due to fault number” & faultNumber] TO DISPLAY

SEND [“Player” & playerNumber & “’s score is” & playerScore] TO TOUCHSCREEN

5 Written by Mr G. Reid, PTC Technologies, Buckhaven High School - Sept 2013

 Reading & Writing Haggis Pseudocode

Selection Constructs Including Simple Conditions and Logical Operators

The command words IF and THEN are used to make decisions.

An IF statement with a simple condition can take two forms:
Single Line
IF temperatureNow >= 100 THEN SEND “Water is in a gaseous form at this temp” TO DISPLAY

Extended Statement
IF temperatureNow >= 100 THEN
SEND “Water is in a gaseous form at this temp” TO DISPLAY
SEND “This is called steam” TO DISPLAY
END IF

An ELSE statement may be used to show what should take place should a condition be false.
IF temperatureNow >= 100 THEN
SEND “Water is in a gaseous form at this temp” TO DISPLAY
SEND “This is called steam” TO DISPLAY
ELSE
SEND “Water is a liquid or a solid at this temp” TO DISPLAY
END IF

Selection Constructs Including Complex Conditions and Logical Operators

Logical operators (AND, OR, NOT) may be used to create complex conditions
IF temperatureNow > 0 AND temperatureNow < 100 THEN
SEND “Water is in a liquid at this temp” TO DISPLAY
SEND “Lower the temperature to form a solid” TO DISPLAY
END IF

IF temperatureNow <= 0 OR temperatureNow >= 100 THEN SEND “Water is not a liquid at this
temp” TO DISPLAY

IF NOT(temperatureNow > 0 AND temperatureNow < 100) THEN

SEND “Water is not a liquid at this temp” TO DISPLAY
END IF

SDD 6
Reading &Writing Haggis Pseudocode

Iteration and Repetition Using Fixed Loops

Code may be repeated a fixed number of times using FOR, FROM, TO, DO, END FOR.
FOR counter FROM 1 to 10 DO
GET nextInput FROM (REAL) KEYBOARD
SET totalCost TO totalCost + nextInput
END FOR

The variable used in the loop (“counter” in the above example) may also be used in the pseudocode. A
STEP may also be introduced (for example - STEP 2) to control how the loop counts.
The example below stores 10 names in an array in reverse order.
FOR counter FROM 1 to 10 STEP -1 DO
SEND [“Please enter the name of user number” & counter] TO DISPLAY
RECEIVE nextUserName FROM (STRING) KEYBOARD
SET nameList[counter] TO nextUserName
END FOR

Alternatively, a fixed loop may also be written using the REPEAT, TIMES, END REPEAT commands:
REPEAT 10 TIMES
RECEIVE nextValue FROM (REAL) KEYBOARD
END REPEAT

Additionally a FOR EACH loop may be used for structures with a set length,
FOR EACH character FROM “This is a test”
IF <character does not equal a letter of the alphabet> THEN
SEND [character & “ is not a letter”] TO DISPLAY
END IF
END FOR EACH

or
FOR EACH time FROM runnersTimesArray
SET totalTimes TO totalTimes + time
END FOR EACH
SET averageTime TO totalTimes / numberOfRunners

7 Written by Mr G. Reid, PTC Technologies, Buckhaven High School - Sept 2013

 Reading & Writing Haggis Pseudocode

Iteration and Repetition Using Conditional Loops

Loops may also be ended with a pre or post condition using WHILE, END WHILE or REPEAT,
UNTIL. These are formatted as shown below:
Pre-condition
RECEIVE pressureLevel FROM (REAL) SENSOR
WHILE pressureLevel < 0 OR pressureLevel > 200 DO
IF pressureLevel < 0 OR pressureLevel > 200 THEN
SEND “Error in Reading. Reset Sensor!” TO DISPLAY
END IF
RECEIVE pressureLevel FROM (REAL) SENSOR
END WHILE

Post-condition
REPEAT
RECEIVE pressureLevel FROM (REAL) SENSOR
IF pressureLevel < 0 OR pressureLevel > 200 THEN
SEND “Error in Reading. Reset Sensor!” TO DISPLAY
END IF
UNTIL pressureLevel >= 0 AND pressureLevel <= 200

Pre-Defined Functions with Parameters

Predefined functions may differ from language to language. As yet the only mentions of pre-defined
functions in N5 are length() in the SQA Haggis document and move(), rotate() from the graphical question
in the specimen paper.
A function or sub-program is noted by using brackets ( ).
If an item of data or a variable is passed into the function it is placed inside the brackets.
MOVE(5)
ROTATE(90)
SET lengthOfWord TO length(“computing”)
SET temperature TO currentTemp(“Dining Room”)
SET AsciiCode TO ord(character)
SET maxValue TO findMax(shoesizeList[ ])
In some cases the brackets may be left blank. This may be relevant to calling a sub-program.
GetValidName()

SDD 8
Reading &Writing Haggis Pseudocode

A Few Worked Examples

Problem (2008-2009, Intermediate 2 Coursework task)
The manager of a school cafeteria wants to use a computer system to calculate how much each customer
has to pay. Members of staff have to pay VAT on their purchases but pupils do not. If the customer is a
member of staff then the program will calculate the VAT and add it to the total cost.
VAT is calculated using the formula:
VAT = 0.175 × total cost
The system requires the following inputs:
Ÿ How many items the customer has to pay for
Ÿ The price of each item in pounds
Ÿ Whether the customer is a pupil or a member of staff (P for pupil and S for staff)

The output from the program should display the total cost of purchases, the type of customer, the amount
of VAT to be paid and the final cost e.g.
Total cost of purchases: 2.38
Type of customer: S
VAT: 0.42
Final Cost: 2.80

Solution in Haggis Pseudocode (Algorithm and Refinements)

Line 1 RECEIVE numberOfItems FROM (INTEGER) KEYBOARD
Line 2 <Calculate the total cost of purchases>
Line 3 <Get valid type of customer> Note that 4 of the main
Line 4 SET vatTotal TO 0.175 * totalCost algorithm steps are written in a
Line 5 <Calculate final cost> less formal style using < >.
Line 6 <Display purchase details> This shows that these 4 steps
require further refinement.
Line 2.1 SET totalCost TO 0
Line 2.2 FOR loop FROM 1 TO numberOfItems DO
Line 2.3 RECEIVE itemPrice FROM (REAL) KEYBOARD
Line 2.4 SET totalCost TO totalCost + itemPrice
Line 2.5 END FOR

Line 3.1 REPEAT

Line 3.2 RECEIVE customerType FROM (CHARACTER) KEYBOARD
Line 3.3 IF customerType ≠ P AND customerType ≠ S THEN
Line 3.4 SEND “Please enter P or S” TO DISPLAY
Line 3.5 END IF
Line 3.6 UNTIL customerType = P OR customerType = S

Line 5.1 IF customerType = P THEN SET finalCost = totalCost

Line 5.2 IF customerType = S THEN SET finalCost = totalCost + vatTotal

Line 6.1 SEND [“Total cost of purchases: ” & totalCost] TO DISPLAY

Line 6.2 SEND [“Type of customer: ” & customerType] TO DISPLAY
Line 6.3 SEND [“VAT: ” & vatTotal] TO DISPLAY
Line 6.4 SEND [“Final Cost: ” & finalCost] TO DISPLAY

9 Written by Mr G. Reid, PTC Technologies, Buckhaven High School - Sept 2013

 Reading & Writing Haggis Pseudocode

Problem (Guess Number, Standard Grade Credit Programming Task)

A program is required to prompt I am thinking of a whole number between 1 and 20
the user to guess a randomly-
chosen whole number between 1 What is the number?
and 20. 83
The input should be validated. If Enter a whole number between 1 and 20
the guess is incorrect, the user 0
should be told if the target number Enter a whole number between 1 and 20
is bigger or smaller. This process 4.9
should continue until the target Enter a whole number between 1 and 20
number is guessed correctly. 11
My number is smaller than your guess.
The user should then be told how What is the number?
many valid guesses were made. 3
My number is bigger than your guess.
What is the number?
An example of output is shown to
7
the right. The output from your
Correct. I was thinking of 7
program may look different but
must meet the specification.
The number of valid guesses was 3

Solution in Haggis Pseudocode (Algorithm and Refinements)

Line 1 SET chosenNumber TO <random whole number between 1 and 20>
Line 2 REPEAT
Line 3 SET numberOfGuesses TO numberOfGuesses + 1
Line 4 <Get validGuess from user>
Line 5 <Display appropriate message>
Line 6 UNTIL chosenNumber = validGuess
Line 7 SEND [“Correct. I was thinking of ” & chosenNumber] TO DISPLAY
Line 8 SEND [“The number of valid guesses was “ & numberOfGuesses] TO DISPLAY

Line 4.1 REPEAT

Line 4.2 RECEIVE validGuess FROM (INTEGER) KEYBOARD
Line 4.3 IF validGuess < 1 OR validGuess > 20 THEN
Line 4.4 SEND “Enter a whole number between 1 and 20” TO DISPLAY
Line 4.5 END IF
Line 4.6 UNTIL validGuess >= 1 AND validGuess <= 20

Line 5.1 IF validGuess < chosenNumber THEN SEND “My number is bigger than your guess.” TO
DISPLAY
Line 5.2 IF validGuess > chosenNumber THEN SEND “My number is smaller than your guess.” TO
DISPLAY

SDD 10
Reading &Writing Haggis Pseudocode

Problem (2009-2010, Intermediate 2 Coursework task)

Greg wants a piece of software to display the tracks he has burned onto the CD-R along with the duration in
seconds of each track. He also wants to display the total time of all the tracks on the CD-R.
The program should initially ask the user for the number of tracks to be listed. This should be validated. At
least one track and no more than twenty can be burned onto a CD-R.
The program requires the following inputs:
Ÿ the number of tracks to be burned
Ÿ the title of each track
Ÿ the length in seconds of each track.

An example of the required output is shown below.

Supernatural Superserious 204 seconds

Another Way to Die 263 seconds
Jealous Guy 234 seconds
CD-R running time 701 seconds

Solution in Haggis Pseudocode (Algorithm and Refinements)

Line 1 SET totalRunningTime TO 0
Line 2 <Get valid numberOfTracks from user>
Line 3 FOR counter FROM 1 TO numberOfTracks DO
Line 4 GetTitleAndLength()
Line 5 SET totalRunningTime TO totalRunningTime + trackLength[counter]
Line 6 END FOR
Line 7 <display track titles and track lengths>
Line 8 SEND [“CD-R running time ” & totalRunningTime] TO DISPLAY

Line 2.1 REPEAT

Line 2.2 RECEIVE numberOfTracks FROM (INTEGER) KEYBOARD
Line 2.3 IF numberOfTracks < 1 OR numberOfTracks > 20 THEN
Line 2.4 SEND “Please enter number of tracks between 1 and 20” TO DISPLAY
Line 2.5 END IF
Line 2.6 UNTIL numberOfTracks >= 1 AND numberOfTracks <= 20

Line 4.1 RECEIVE trackTitle[counter] FROM (STRING) KEYBOARD

Line 4.2 RECEIVE trackLength[counter] FROM (REAL) KEYBOARD

Line 7.1 FOR counter FROM 1 TO numberOfTracks DO

Line 7.2 SEND [trackTitle[counter] & trackLength[counter]] TO DISPLAY
Line 7.3 END FOR

11 Written by Mr G. Reid, PTC Technologies, Buckhaven High School - Sept 2013