Scribd
Upload
78 views14 pages

What Is Algorithm? Algorithm Basics

An algorithm is a set of steps to solve a problem or complete a task. It should be unambiguous, have well-defined inputs and outputs, be finite, feasible, and language independent. To design an algorithm, you must define the problem, constraints, inputs, outputs, and solution. A flowchart uses common symbols like boxes, diamonds, and arrows to visually represent an algorithm's logic and flow. It helps communicate and debug the program design. While flowcharts document programs clearly, they can be difficult to create for large programs and modify later.

Uploaded by

Jay R Chiva
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
78 views14 pages

What Is Algorithm? Algorithm Basics

An algorithm is a set of steps to solve a problem or complete a task. It should be unambiguous, have well-defined inputs and outputs, be finite, feasible, and language independent. To design an algorithm, you must define the problem, constraints, inputs, outputs, and solution. A flowchart uses common symbols like boxes, diamonds, and arrows to visually represent an algorithm's logic and flow. It helps communicate and debug the program design. While flowcharts document programs clearly, they can be difficult to create for large programs and modify later.

Uploaded by

Jay R Chiva
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 14

What is Algorithm?

Algorithm
Basics
The word Algorithm means “a process or set of
rules to be followed in calculations or other
problem-solving operations”. Therefore
Algorithm refers to a set of rules/instructions
that step-by-step define how a work is to be
executed upon in order
What are the Characteristics of an
Algorithm?
Characteristic
• Clear and Unambiguous
• Well defined inputs
• Well defined outputs
• Finite-ness
• Feasible
• Language independent
Howthattois todesign
• The problem an Algorithms?
be solve by this algorithm
• The constraints of the problem that must be considered while
solving the problem
• The input to be taken to solve the problem
• The output to be expected when the problem is solve
• The solution to this problem, in the given constraits
Then the algorithm is written with
the help of above parameters such
that it solves the problem
• Step 1: Fulfilling the pre-requisites
• Step 2: Designing the algorithm
• Step 3: Testing the algorithm by
implementing it.
Advantages

• Easy to understand
• Algorithm is a step-wise representation of a solution to a
given problem.
• In Algorithm the problem is broken down into smaller pieces
or steps hence,
• it is easier for the programmer to convert it into an actual
program.
Disadvantages
• Writing an algorithm takes a long time so its time consuming
• Branching and looping statements are difficult to show in
Algorithms
What is a Flowchart?

• Flowchart is a graphical representation of an


algorithm. Programmers often use it as a program-
planning tool to solve a problem. It makes use of
symbols which are connected among them to
indicate the flow of information and processing.
• The process of drawing a flowchart for an
algorithm is known as “flowcharting”.
Basic Symbols used in
Flowchart Designs
• Terminal: The oval symbol indicates Start, Stop and
Halt in a program’s logic flow. A pause/halt is generally
used in a program logic under some error conditions.
Terminal is the first and last symbols in the flowchart.
• Input/Output: A parallelogram denotes any function of
input/output type. Program instructions that take input
from input devices and display output on output
devices are indicated with parallelogram in a flowchart.
• Processing: A box represents arithmetic instructions. All
arithmetic processes such as adding, subtracting,
multiplication and division are indicated by action or
process symbol.
• Decision Diamond symbol represents a decision point.
Decision based operations such as yes/no question or
true/false are indicated by diamond in flowchart.
• Connectors: Whenever flowchart becomes complex or it
spreads over more than one page, it is useful to use
connectors to avoid any confusions. It is represented by a
circle.
• Flow lines: Flow lines indicate the exact sequence in which
instructions are executed. Arrows represent the direction of
flow of control and relationship among different symbols of
flowchart. 
Advantages of Flowchart:
• Flowcharts are better way of communicating the
logic of system.
• Flowcharts act as a guide for blueprint during
program designed.
• Flowcharts helps in debugging process.
• With the help of flowcharts programs can be easily
analyzed.
• It provides better documentation.
• Flowcharts serve as a good proper documentation.
Disadvantages of Flowchart:

• It is difficult to draw flowchart for large and


complex programs.
• In this their is no standard to determine the amount
of detail.
• Difficult to reproduce the flowcharts.
• It is very difficult to modify the Flowchart.

You might also like