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Understanding Algorithm

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18 views7 pages

Understanding Algorithm

Uploaded by

snowball.geek
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Phyu Phyu Aye Chan

Unit - 1 : Problem Solving

1. Understanding Algorithms

- Algorithm → a set of instructions for solving a problem

Input - data from user


Output - data back to the user

** a computer program is an implementation of an algorithm; an algorithm is not a computer


program.

algorithms must be :
- unambiguous ( clear )
- step by step

Consider ( 3 ) points if it is successful algorithm or not

1. Accuracy - do you receive your expected outcome exactly?


2. Consistency - would the algorithm give the same result if you run repeatedly?
3. Efficiency - do you receive your outcome as fast as possible?

Why do programmers use algorithms?

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Phyu Phyu Aye Chan

- plan their approach to problems


- choose right ways to solve
- describe their solution to others, people who do not use same programming language as
you
- keep record of logic to their solution

Ways to interpret algorithms

1. Written description
2. Flowcharts
3. Pseudocode
4. Program code

1. Written Descriptions

- the simplest way of expressing an algorithm

Features of Written Descriptions

- short sentences
- should be easy to understand and have no unnecessary details
- clear instructions
- should include all the elements found when decomposing a problem

Advantages of WD

- no need to worry about using correct syntax


- more natural to use normal writing

Disadvantages of WD

- temptation to use too many words


- makes an algorithm descriptive rather than instructional

Example - Adding two numbers

1. Enter first number.


2. Enter second number.
3. Calculate total by adding first and second number.
4. Output total.

2. Flowchart

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Phyu Phyu Aye Chan

- a graphical representation of an algorithm

Start or End
- at the beginning and end of the algorithm

Input or Output
- for values that are put into or taken out from algorithm

Process
- for instructions and calculations

Decision

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Phyu Phyu Aye Chan

- for a question - often a “yes” or “no”

Logical flow ( line )


- connect boxes and show direction
- Represents the flow from one component to the next

Subroutine
- to reference other flowcharts

Advantages of FC

- easy to see how a program flows


- flowcharts follow an international standard — easy to pick up a diagram and understand
it

Disadvantages of FC

- large problem → diagram can become huge and therefore difficult to follow
- any charges to the design may mean a lot of diagram has to be redrawn

Example - Adding two numbers

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Phyu Phyu Aye Chan

3. Pseudocode ( means “pretend code” )

- a structured, code-like language that can be used to describe an algorithm

Features of Pseudocode

- allows developer to concentrate on the logic and efficiency of the algorithm

good pseudocode are :

- readable and easy to interpret


- not too vague
- structured like a piece of code
- easy to convert into any language

Advantages of Pseudocode

- can be quickly and easily converted into an actual programming language


- easy to understand , even for non-programmers
- does not matter if there is syntax errors - still obvious what is intended
- changes to the design can be incorporated quite easily

Disadvantages of Pseudocode

- hard to see how a program flows


- can be time consuming to produce

Example - Adding two numbers

Important programming concepts in Pseudocode

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Phyu Phyu Aye Chan

1. Numbers entered are stored in variables with the identifier such as firstNumber and
secondNumber
a. Identifier : a unique name given to a variable or constant
b. must use descriptive names → code is easier to read
2. Results as well are stored such as total
3. Text has to be displayed using single ‘ ‘ or double “ “ quotation marks
4. Variables are displayed without quotation marks
5. Arithmetic Operators

4. Program code

- instructions given in a high-level language ( Python, C# , Java in Edexcel )

- must be precise with syntax


- should work if they were typed into your computers

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Phyu Phyu Aye Chan

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