Chapter One

Revision on Problem Solving Techniques

ALGORITHMS,
FLOWCHART AND
PSEUDO-CODE
 What is an Algorithm?
An algorithm is a set of ordered steps for solving a problem.
Algorithm can be written in natural languages like Afaan Oromo, English,
Amharic and the like.
Examples:
◦ An algorithm for preparing breakfast.
◦ An algorithm for converting Gregorian dates to
Ethiopian dates.
◦ An algorithm for calculating GCF of numbers.
◦ An algorithm for drawing a curve.
◦ An algorithm for calculating Tax, and so on....

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 Algorithm in Real Life
Consider the following …
Problem: Baking a Cake
How to solve:
1.Start
2. Preheat the oven at 180oC
3. Prepare a baking pan
4. Beat butter with sugar
5. Mix them with flour, eggs and essence vanilla
6. Pour the dough into the baking pan
7. Put the pan into the oven
8. End

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 Examples of Algorithm
Problem: Prepare a Breakfast

1. Start
2. Prepare a Breakfast
3. End

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 CLASS ACTIVITY 1
Write a simple algorithm for withdrawing a sum of money
at an ATM.
Write a simple algorithm for calculating a tax.
Write a simple algorithm for comparing three different
numbers and which display the largest

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Why do we need to build Algorithms?

If we wish to build a house, we need to design it first.

◦ Can you think of some possible consequences of not designing a house before
building it?

Similarly, computer programs (especially large and complex

ones) need to be designed before they are written.
◦ Can you think of some possible consequences of not designing a program before
building it?

One of the things considered when designing a computer

program is the algorithm which it will be based on.

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Algorithms in Program Design
A computer program is built to solve a certain
problem.
Examples:
1. A program to calculate the grade obtained given
a mark.
2. A program to convert a Gregorian date to
Ethiopian date.
3. A program to produce a document.

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Below are steps (in fact, an algorithm) for
building a program to solve a particular problem:

◦ Analyze the problem

◦ Design a computer solution to the problem
by developing an algorithm.
◦ Write a computer program based on the
algorithm.
◦ Test the program.

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How to Specify an Algorithm?
An algorithm must be specific enough so that it
can be conveniently translated into a computer
program (using C++, for example).
An algorithm can be specified:
◦ Textually
For example, using pseudo code (see later)
◦ Graphically
For example, using flowcharts or UML activity
charts

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FLOWCHARTS
A flowchart is a graphical representation of the sequence of operations
in a program.
An algorithm can be represented graphically using a flowchart.

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FLOWCHART NOTATIONS
Symbol Semantic
Start/End

Process

Input/Output

Test

Connector

Flow of activities
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FLOWCHART: EXAMPLE 1
Start Algorithm starts here

Input
Gregorian date Input data from user

Convert Gregorian
date to Ethiopian date Perform the date conversion

Display
Display the result
Ethiopian date

End Algorithm ends here

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FLOWCHART: EXAMPLE 2
Start
• length, width and area
Input are referred to as
length, width variables.
• A variable is like a box
area ← length X width in which a value can be
stored
Output
area

End
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 FLOWCHART: EXAMPLE 3
Selection
Start

Input
height

false true
height > 1.6?

Output Output
“You are short!” “You are tall!”

End

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 FLOWCHART: EXAMPLE 4
Repetition (looping)

Start

Output
“Thank you!”

Input
stop

false
stop = 1?

true
End
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CLASS ACTIVITY 2
Draw a flowchart which represents the algorithm built in CLASS
ACTIVITY[1].

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 PSEUDOCODE
An outline of a program, written in a form that can easily be converted into real
programming statements.
It resembles the actual program that will be implemented later.
However, it cannot be compiled nor executed.
Pseudocode normally codes the following actions:

◦ Initialization of variables, Assignment of values to the variables

◦ Arithmetic operations, Relational operations

A coding technique where precise descriptions of procedures are

written in easy-to-read language constructs without the attention to the
syntax rules of a computer language.
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 Example of Pseudocode
1. Start
2. Read quantity
3. Read price_per_kg
4. price  quantity * price_per_kg
5. Print price
6. End
The above pseudocode is designed/developed to
calculate the price of some quantity.

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 You should now know…
what an algorithm is.
when an algorithm should be developed when building
a computer program.
the basic steps in building a computer program to solve
a problem.
what flowcharts are.
how to represent algorithms graphically using
flowcharts.

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 Individual Assignment1 (10%)

What is a Divide and Conquer strategies in algorithm?

Give a simple example
Important Tips
Date of submission November 15, 2021
Mode of Submission: in Hard-Copy
Note more than 2 pages

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