Program Development

Process
Joshua evra
Algorithm
• This is step by step procedure of solving a problem, attaining a goal or
accomplishing a certain objective or verifying a problem has been
solved.
• A step-by-step (a set of) instructions which when followed will produce
a solution to a given problem.

Characteristics of a good algorithm

• Definiteness-Each step of an algorithm must be clearly defined or the
action must clearly specified.
• Finiteness-An algorithm must terminate (end) after a number of steps.
• Efficiency-Algorithms must be effective, or operations are executable,
avoid ambiguity.
• Input
• Output
Program design Tools.
Algorithms can be illustrated using the following tools:
• Pseudocodes.
• Flowcharts.
• Decision Tables.
• Decision Trees.
Note. For any given problem, the programmer must choose which
algorithm (method) is best suited to solve it.
Pseudocode-
This is an artificial and informal language that helps programmers
develop algorithms. It is similar to every day English.
• A pseudocode is a method of documenting a program logic in which
English-like statements are used to describe the processing steps.
• These are structured English-like phrases that indicate the program
steps to be followed to solve a given problem.
It is convenient and user friendly although it’s not actual computer
programming language. This helps programmers in “thinking out” a
program before putting it in actual coding.
Guidelines for designing a good pseudocode.
• The statements must be short, clear and readable.
• The statements must not have more than one meaning (i.e., should
not be ambiguous).
• The pseudocode lines should be clearly outlined and indented.
• A pseudocode must have a Begin and an end.
i.e., a pseudocode should show clearly the start and stop of executable
statements and the control structures.
The input, output and processing statements should be clearly stated
using keywords such as PRINT, READ, and INPUT
Example 1
• Write a pseudocode that can be used to prompt the user to enter two numbers,
calculate the sum and average of the two numbers and then display the output
on the screen.
START
PRINT “Enter two numbers”
INPUT X, Y
Sum = X + Y
Average = Sum/2
PRINT Sum
PRINT Average STOP
Example 2
Write a structured algorithm that would prompt the user to enter the Length and
Width of a rectangle, calculate the Area and Perimeter, then display the result.
Solution
Step 1: Draw the rectangle of Length (L) and Width (W).
Step 2: Write down the Pseudocode.
START
PRINT “Enter Length and Width”
READ L, W
Area = L * W
Perimeter = 2 (L + W)
PRINT Area
PRINT Perimeter
Example 3
STOP
Solve the following:
Write a pseudocode that can be used to input the Diameter, then
calculate Circumference and Area of a circle and then display the
output on the screen.

• It is important to use program control structures when writing

Pseudocodes. The most common constructs are:
Example 4
• (i). Looping (Repetition / Iteration) – used where instructions are to be
repeated under certain conditions.
• (ii). Selection – used when choosing a specified group of instructions for
execution. The group chosen depends on certain conditions being satisfied.
Example 5: Using control structures
Write a pseudocode for a program that can be used to classify people
according to age. If a person is more than 20 years; output “Adult” else
output “Young person”.
START
PRINT “Enter the Age”
INPUT Age
IF Age > 20 THEN
PRINT “Adult”
ELSE
PRINT “Young person”
End IF
STOP
FLOWCHART
Flowchart
• This is a graphical representation of an algorithm.
• They are drawn using special symbols. They are useful for developing
and representing an algorithm. They clearly show how control
structures operates.
• A Flowchart is a diagrammatic or pictorial representation of a
program’s algorithm.
• It is a chart that demonstrates the logical sequence of events that must
be performed to solve a problem
Types of Flowcharts
System flowchart.
• A System flowchart is a graphical model that illustrates each basic step
of a data processing system.
• It illustrates (in summary) the sequence of events in a system, showing
the department or function responsible for each event.
Program flowchart.
• This is a diagram that describes, in sequence, all the operations
required to process data in a computer program.
• A program flowchart graphically represents the types of instructions
contained in a computer program as well as their sequence & logic.
Flowchart symbols and Notations
Terminal Symbol:
Process
Start/ End

Input/output Connector

Decision
Flowchart
Start/End:
• It is used to indicate the point at which a flowchart, a process or an algorithm
begins & ends.
• All Flowcharts must have a START & STOP symbol.
• The words Begin & End (or Start & Stop) should be inserted in the Terminal
symbol.
Input or Output symbol :
• It is used to identify/specify an input operation or output operation.
• The words mostly associated with I/O operations are READ & PRINT. READ
describes the entry of computer data, while PRINT relates to the printed
output of information.
Example of Input and output
Read Customer Print Customer
Name Name

Process Symbol:
• Used to indicate process or data transformation is taking place
• The information placed within the process symbol may be an algebraic
formula or a sentence to describe processing.
SUM=A+B
• Example:
Decision Symbol
• It is used to indicate/ specify a condition or to show the decision to be made.
• There are 2 main components of a Decision symbol:
 (i). A question asked within the Decision symbol, that indicates the comparison / logical
operation.

(ii). The results of the comparison (which are given in terms of YES or NO).

• The arrows labeled YES or NO lead to the required action corresponding to

the answer to the question.
The arrows labeled YES or NO lead to the required action corresponding
to the answer to the question.
Flow lines:
• Flow lines with arrowheads are used to indicate the direction of
processing of the program logic,
• i.e., they show the order in which the instructions are to be executed.
• The normal flow of a flowchart is from Top to Bottom, and Left to Right.
• Flow lines should never cross each other.
Connector:
• Sometimes, a flowchart becomes too long to fit in a single page, such that
the flow lines start crisscrossing at many places causing confusion & also
making the flowchart difficult to understand.
• The Connector symbol is used as a connecting point for arrows coming from
different directions.
• A Connector symbol is represented by a Circle, and a letter or digit is placed
within the circle to indicate the link.
• Connectors do not represent any operation. They are used to connect two
parts of a flowchart, indicating that the flow of data is not broken.

General guidelines for drawing a program

flowchart.
• A flowchart should have only one entry/starting point and one exit
point (i.e., ensure that the flowchart has a logical start and finish).
• The flowchart should be clear, neat and easy to follow.
• Use the correct symbol at each stage in the flowchart.
• The flowchart should not be open to more than one interpretation.
• Avoid overlapping the lines used to show the flow of logic as this can
create confusion in the flowchart.
• Make comparison instructions simple, i.e., capable of YES/NO answers.
• The logical flow should be clearly shown using arrows.
• A flowchart should flow from the Top to Bottom of a page, and from the Left to the
Right.
• Where necessary, use Connectors to reduce the number of flow lines.
• Check to ensure that the flowchart is logically correct & complete.

Example
Draw a flowchart for a program that can be used to prompt the user to
enter two numbers, find the sum and average of the two numbers and
then display the output on the screen.
The End!