Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University

Preparatory Year Unit

Fundamentals of Computer
Programming and Problem Solving
[Information Technology]

Extra Material
Fundamentals of Computer Programming and Problem Solving

Table of contents Page

1. Introduction 2

2. Algorithm 2

3. Flow chart 2

4. Pseudo Code 3

5. Control Structure 4

6. Database and database management system 6

7. Programming languages 6

8. Compiler and interpreter 6

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Introduction:
To solve any programming problem, use the following:
1. Algorithms
2. Flowcharts
3. Pseudo code

1. ALGORITHM
An algorithm is a step-by-step procedure used for solving a problem or performing a
computation.

Example 1.1
Algorithm for addition of two numbers
Step1: Start

Step 2: Input A, B

Step 3: Calculate C=A+B

Step 4: Output C

Step 5: Stop

2. FLOW CHART
Flowchart is a diagrammatic way of representing an algorithm.
Symbols used in a flow chart:

Symbol Name Functions

Oval Start/Stop

Parallelogram Input/output

Rectangle Processing

Diamond Decision Making

Circle Connector

Flow lines Control Flow

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Example 2.1
Flow chart for addition of two numbers

Start

Input A, B

C=A+B

Print C

Stop

3. PSEUDO CODE: a description of what a computer program or algorithm must do,

expressed in a formally styled natural language rather than in a programming
language.

Example 3.1: Pseudo Code for Addition of two Numbers

Start
Input a
Input b
Sum = a+b
Output sum
Stop

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4. CONTROL STRUCTURES
A control structure is a block of programming that analyzes variables and chooses a
direction in which to go based on given parameters.

It has two type

1. Branching (Branching is a decision - what actions to take.)
2. Looping (Looping is a decision - how many times to take a certain action.)

4.1 Example of Branching:

Algorithm and flow chart for greatest of two numbers.

a. ALGORITHM:

Step 1: Start
Step 2: Input the values of A, B
Step 3: If A > B then go to step 5
Step 4: Print “B is largest” go to Step 6
Step 5: Print “A is largest”
Step 6: Stop

b. FLOW CHART:

Start

Input A, B

True False
A>B

Print B
Print A bA

Stop

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 3.2 Example of Looping:

Algorithm and flow chart for display of first 5 natural numbers using control structure while.

a. ALGORITHM:

Step 1: Start

Step 2: Set i= 1

Step 3: Repeat the following until i<= 5

3.1: Output i

3.2: i = i+1

Step 4: Stop

b. FLOW CHART:

Start

i=1

False
i <= 5

True
Stop

Print i

i= i + 1

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 5. DATABASE AND DATABASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
5.1 Database: Database is an organized collection of related data stored electronically in a
computer system.
Example: Student database

5.2 Database Management System:

A database management system is a software designed to help in maintaining organizing
and utilizing a database.
6. PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE
A programming language is a type of written language that tells computers what to do.
Examples are: Python, Ruby, Java, JavaScript, C, C++, and C#.
Programming languages are used to write all computer programs and computer software

7. COMPILER AND INTERPRETER

7.1 Compiler:
Compiler is a program that translates a high-level language into machine level language.

7.2 Interpreter:
Interpreter is a program that translates a high-level language into machine level language line by line.

7.3 Comparison between Compiler and interpreter

# Compiler Interpreter

Compiler Takes Entire program as input Interpreter Takes Single instruction as input.
1
Program execution is fast Program execution is relatively slow
2
Example: C Compiler Example: BASIC
3

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