ALGORITHMS AND
FLOWCHARTS
Farah Sharmin
Senior Lecturer
Department of Computer Science
ALGORITHMS AND FLOWCHARTS
A typical programming task can be divided into
two phases:
Problem solving phase
produce an ordered sequence of steps that describe
solution of problem
this sequence of steps is called an algorithm
Implementation phase
implement the program in some programming
language
Steps in Problem Solving
First produce a general algorithm (one can use
pseudocode)
Refine the algorithm successively to get step by
step detailed algorithm that is very close to a
computer language.
Pseudocode is an artificial and informal
language that helps programmers develop
algorithms. Pseudocode is very similar to
everyday English.
Pseudocode & Algorithm
Example 1: Write an algorithm to
determine a student’s final grade and
indicate whether it is passing or failing.
The final grade is calculated as the
average of four marks.
Pseudocode & Algorithm
Pseudocode:
Input a set of 4 marks
Calculate their average by summing and dividing
by 4
if average is below 50
Print “FAIL”
else
Print “PASS”
Pseudocode & Algorithm
Detailed Algorithm
Step 1: Input M1,M2,M3,M4
Step 2: GRADE (M1+M2+M3+M4)/4
Step 3: if (GRADE < 50) then
Print “FAIL”
else
Print “PASS”
endif
The Flowchart
(Dictionary) A schematic representation of a sequence of
operations, as in a manufacturing process or computer
program.
(Technical) A graphical representation of the sequence
of operations in an information system or program.
Information system flowcharts show how data flows from
source documents through the computer to final
distribution to users. Program flowcharts show the
sequence of instructions in a single program or
subroutine. Different symbols are used to draw each
type of flowchart.
The Flowchart
An organized combination of shapes, lines and text which
graphically illustrate a process/program.
A type of diagram that represents an algorithm, workflow or process,
showing the steps as boxes of various kinds, and their order by
connecting them with arrows. This diagrammatic representation
illustrates a solution to a given problem.
Emphasizes individual steps and their interconnections
Flowcharts are used in analyzing, designing, documenting or
managing a process or program. Like other types of diagrams, they
help visualize what is going on and thereby help the people to
understand a process, and perhaps also find flaws, bottlenecks, and
other less-obvious features within it.
Very helpful in explaining program to others.
Flowchart Symbols
Different symbols are used for different states in flowchart, For example:
Input/Output and decision making has different symbols. The table below
describes most of the symbols that are used in making flowchart
Name Symbol Use in Flowchart
Oval Denotes the beginning or end of the program
Parallelogram Denotes an input operation
Rectangle Denotes a process to be carried out
e.g. addition, subtraction, division etc.
Diamond Denotes a decision (or branch) to be made.
The program should continue along one of
two routes. (e.g. IF/THEN/ELSE)
Hybrid Denotes an output operation
Flow line Denotes the direction of logic flow in the program
Example
START
Step 1: Input M1,M2,M3,M4
Step 2: GRADE (M1+M2+M3+M4)/4
Input
M1,M2,M3,M4
Step 3: if (GRADE <50) then
Print “FAIL”
else
GRADE(M1+M2+M3+M4)/4 Print “PASS”
endif
N Y
IS
GRADE<50
PRINT PRINT
“PASS” “FAIL”
STOP
Example 2
Write an algorithm and draw a flowchart to
convert the length in feet to centimeter.
Pseudocode:
Input the length in feet (Lft)
Calculate the length in cm (Lcm) by
multiplying LFT with 30
Print length in cm (LCM)
Example 2
Flowchart
Algorithm START
Step 1: Input Lft
Input
Step 2: Lcm Lft x 30 Lft
Step 3: Print Lcm
Lcm Lft x 30
Print
Lcm
STOP
Example 3
Write an algorithm and draw a flowchart that will
read the two sides of a rectangle and calculate
its area.
Pseudocode
Input the width (W) and Length (L) of a rectangle
Calculate the area (A) by multiplying L with W
Print A
Example 3
Algorithm START
Step 1: Input W,L Input
Step 2: AL x W W, L
Step 3: Print A
ALxW
Print
A
STOP
Example 4
Write an algorithm and draw a flowchart that
will calculate the roots of a quadratic equation
ax 2 bx c 0
Hint: d = sqrt ( b 2 4ac ), and the roots are:
x1 = (–b + d)/2a and x2 = (–b – d)/2a
Example 4
Pseudocode:
Input the coefficients (a, b, c) of the quadratic
equation
Calculate d
Calculate x1
Calculate x2
Print x1 and x2
Example 4
START
Algorithm:
Input
Step 1: Input a, b, c a, b, c
Step 2: d sqrt ( b b 4 a c)
Step 3: x1 (–b + d) / (2 x a) d sqrt(b x b – 4 x a x c)
Step 4: x2 (–b – d) / (2 x a)
x1 (–b + d) / (2 x a)
Step 5: Print x1, x2
X2 (–b – d) / (2 x a)
Print
x1 ,x2
STOP
Example 5
Draw a flowchart to add two numbers entered by user.
Start
Declare a, b , sum
Read a, b
sum ←a+b
Print sum
End
Example 6
Draw a flowchart to print the average
of three numbers entered by user. Start
Declare n1, n2 ,n3, sum, avg
Read n1, n2,n3
sum ← n1 + n2 + n3
avg ← sum / 3
Print avg
End
Example 7
Draw a flowchart to find the
largest among three different
numbers entered by user.
Example 7: Draw a flowchart to print a letter ‘n’ m
times.
Start
Declare m, counter=0
Read m
is
counter < m
T
F Print “n”
counter=counter+1
End
