IT 1090C Computer Programming I

Lab 2 – Flow Charts and Pseudo Code Conditionals

SPRING 2020
Pts 12 / 3 extra

Mini-lecture:

We use pseudo code and flow charts to capture the logic of a program prior to implementing it
with code. In general practice, flow charts are too cumbersome for large programs and so they
are mainly used for isolated sub-routines, etc. We use pseudo code all the time. The actual
pseudo code can become documentation for the written program by converting the pseudo code
statements to programming comments.

Note that we are refining our pseudo code here by adding the class and main sections and
declaring the variables that we will use in our program and specifying their type (num, boolean,
or String).

This will transition us nicely into programming with java.

Class is the outer most container element for the pseudo code. You will see as we get into java
that a class is implemented as a file. The name of the class will match the name of the java file:
MyClass will be in MyClass.java.

There are two types of classes. The main class is the class that contains the special method
(called main) that is run when the program is executed. Every java program must have a main
class. A model or object class defines objects that we can use in our programs. You can’t run a
model class. (We will do more with model classes later in the next course. For now, when we
start java we will only have main classes.)

Note the pseudo code syntax. The entire program is in a container class … end class. In a main
class, the main method is main() … return and all the code statements for the program are
located there. The main() … return block corresponds to and replaces the start and end
statements that we used previously and the entire block is now in a class. Note how we indent
our blocks.

class ClassName
main() // this was start
//code goes here for our programs
return // this was end
end class
Also, let’s begin to further refine our pseudo code to be specific about communication with our
program users. So, every time we get input we will prompt the user like this. (I’ve actually had
you do that from the beginning!) :

num birthMonth // declare a variable called birthMonth and specify that it holds a number
output “Enter your birth month [1 – 12] ” // prompt the user for the input
input birthMonth // get the input and store it in birthMonth

The pseudo code on the slides occasionally to save space will do multiple inputs on one line like
this:
input birthDay, birthMonth, birthYear
DON”T DO THIS!

Do one input per line and have a separate prompt for each. This is how you have to get the
inputs in the Java code so it will help to do it this way in the pseudocode.

Here is an example of the code we did previously on the board in class for doubling a number
using our new pseudo code conventions:

class DoubleMyFun
main()
// Declare variables (this is a comment)
num valueToDouble
num doubledValue
// Prompt and input
output “Enter the number you want to double”
input valueToDouble
// Process
doubledValue = valueToDouble * 2
// Output
output “The value you entered “ + valueToDouble + “ doubled is “ + doubledValue
return
end class

Variables:

We add some more details to our pseudocode and include variable declarations.

num yearOfBirth // a number variable

String ynChoice // a String variable to hold the user response to ‘Yes or No?’
boolean isRaining // a boolean which is either true or false
We put our declarations at the top of the block immediately after the main() (see in the example
pseudocode immediately above!)

Note that you only declare the type of the variable one time when you declare it. After that you
only refer to the variable by its name:

num myAge = 61

print myAge

Mentioning the type again is an error because you are re-declaring a variable that already exists.

Conditional Structures:

So far, our programs have been pretty simple, now we are going to add conditional processing to
our skill set.

Simple If:

if BOOLEAN EXPRESSION then

statement(s)
end if

If Then Else:

if BOOLEAN EXPRESSION then

statement(s)
else
alternate statement(s)
end if

Cascaded If:
if BOOLEAN EXPRESSION then
statement(s)
else if BOOLEAN EXPRESSION then
alternate statement(s)
else if BOOLEAN EXPRESSION then
alternate statement(s)
else if BOOLEAN EXPRESSION then
alternate statement(s)
…..
else // see how there is no test here? This is every other case.
alternate statement(s)

end if // or endIf
Lab:

1. Just submit this document (See directions below.) and insert your work here.

2. For each of the following tasks, provide the complete pseudo code. Include the new
pseudo code elements: class … end class, main … return, user prompts, and declare
all variables that the program needs. You don’t have to give me the Flow Charts
except for one case indicated below! Declare String variables with String (capital
S) since that’s what we do in java. We also have num and boolean variables in
pseudocode. Declare all the variables at the top of the code block within main()…
return. That is immediately after main().

a. Task 1 (2 pt): A program that converts a temperature in F that the user

provides and returns the equivalent temperature in C. Hint: Google is
your friend! Given F, solve for C. This program does not require an if
structure and has a straight forward input – process – output structure!

b. Task 2 (2 pts): As people pass through an entry kiosk at the theater, they
are prompted to enter their age. If they are 21 or older, they get a paper
wrist band. Code a logic program that asks the user to enter their age
and then if they are 21 or over displays a message that they get a wrist
band. (Note that the program does nothing if they are not 21 or over…)

c. Task 3 (3 pts) : an application program where the user enters the price of
an item and the program computes shipping costs. If the item price is
$100 or more, then shipping is free otherwise it is 2% of the price. The
program should output the shipping cost and the total price.

Submit the FlowChart for this Task 3 along with the pseudocode.

d. Task 4 (3pts): A program that asks the user to enter their birth month
(integer 1 – 12 inclusive). If the user enters a value in range, the program
echoes the input (“Your birth month is: N”) but if the value is not in the
range it outputs an error msg (“You entered an incorrect month value:
N”). Assume that the user can only enter numbers here.

e. Task 5 (3 pts): (This task uses Strings and an if..then..elseif cascade) A

program that prompts the user for their party affiliation (Democrat,
Republican, or Independent) and responds accordingly with a Donkey,
 Elephant, or Man. (i.e. “You get a Democratic Donkey.”)

f. Task 6 (3pts): (Extra Credit): A program that takes two inputs and
compares them. And indicates if they are equal or if they are not
indicates the one that is less. (Assume inputs are simple integers although
that is not required and we could have any object that could be compared
in this fashion.)

3. Submitting your work: carefully check your work. Rename your word file as
Lab02_Lastname_Firstname.docx using your name. Submit this file using the
Canvas assignment mechanism. Submit the exact same file a second time using the
additional Canvas link for the extra credit option.