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Problem-Solving and Program Design

The document outlines the problem-solving process and program design, emphasizing the steps of defining, analyzing, and implementing solutions. It details how to use algorithms, including their representation through narrative, pseudocode, and flowcharts, as well as the importance of top-down design and program constructs like sequencing, selection, and iteration. Additionally, it covers variables, constants, and data types relevant to programming.

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Elijah Mwananduba
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4 views20 pages

Problem-Solving and Program Design

The document outlines the problem-solving process and program design, emphasizing the steps of defining, analyzing, and implementing solutions. It details how to use algorithms, including their representation through narrative, pseudocode, and flowcharts, as well as the importance of top-down design and program constructs like sequencing, selection, and iteration. Additionally, it covers variables, constants, and data types relevant to programming.

Uploaded by

Elijah Mwananduba
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
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Problem-solving and Program

Design
Problem solving-General
• Define the problem
• Analyse the problem
• Suggest possible solutions
• Evaluate and choose the best solution
• Implement and review
Problem-solving using computers

• Define the problem


• Analyse the problem
• Suggest possible solutions and choose the best solution
• Create algorithm
• Test and validate the algorithm
• Implement the algorithm in a programming language to
become a program
• Run the program
• Document and maintain the program
Problem Solving Cnt’d
• Analysing the problem involves breaking down
the problem into inputs, processing, storage
needed and outputs.
• An IPO diagram can be used to break down
the problem
Algorithms

• Step-by-step definition of a task or problem


• The characteristics of algorithms are: precise,
unambiguous, finite steps, terminate.
• The ways to represent algorithms are:
narrative, pseudocode and flowchart
Ways to Represent Algorithms

• Narrative – instructions are written in plain


English.
• Pseudocode – instructions resemble
programming language instructions
• Flowchart – diagrammatic representation of
algorithms using special symbols
Ways to Represent Algorithms Cnt’d
• Words/phrases used in pseudocode:
• for accepting data use read and input
• for storage use store and 
• for output use write, output, display
• Symbols used in flowcharts:
– Oval – input/output or terminal symbol
– Rectangle – processing
– Rhombus or diamond – decision
– Arrows – flow of control

• Small circles – connectors for sections of flowchart


Example
• Write an algorithm that displays the area of a
rectangle by accepting length and width from
the user.
IPO Chart-Example Cnt’d

Input Processing Output

Accept length, width


length, width Calculate area Area
Store results in area
Display area
Pseudocode-Example Cnt’d
• Step 1: start
• Step 2: read length, width
• Step 3: area  length * width
• Step 4: write area
• Step 5: stop
Narrative-Example Cnt’d
• Step 1: Start
• Step 2: Get length and Width
• Step 3: Calculate area by using the formula
length* width and store it in area
• Step 4: Display the area
• Step 5: Stop
Flowchart-Example Cnt’d
c. Program to accept the length and width of a rectangle and calculate its area.

start

read length, width

area = length * width

write area

stop
Flowchart Symbols
Top down Design
• Computer programmers use a divide and conquer

approach to problem solving:


 a problem is broken into parts
 those parts are solved individually
 the smaller solutions are assembled into a big
solution
• These techniques are known as top-down design
and
modular development.
Top down Design
• Top-down design is the process of designing a
solution to a problem by systematically
breaking a problem into smaller, more
manageable parts.
Top down Design
Program Constructs or Control Structures

• Three types
– sequencing,
– selection
– iteration.
Program Constructs or Control Structures

• Sequencing is putting instructions in the order it should


take place
• Selection is making a choice between two or more options
by using the decision making capabilities of computer
• Selection statements used in pseudocode are if-then, if-
then-else
• Repetition or iteration is used to repeat a certain process
a number of times
• Iteration or loop statements used in pseudocode are for-
endfor and while-endwhile
Variables, Constants, Literals and Data Types

• Variables are identifiers of storage locations in


memory that can store any value.
• Constants are fixed values.
• Literals are constants that are written literally in
a program
• Data types determine the type of data a
variable can store
• The data types are: integers, floating point,
characters and string.
• Express an algorithm to get two numbers from
the user (dividend and divisor), testing to
make sure that the divisor number is not zero,
and displaying their quotient using
pseudocode

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