In this post, let us understand the differences between a flowchart and an algorithm.
Algorithm
- It is defined as a sequence of well-defined steps.
- These steps provide a solution/ a way to solve a problem in hand.
- It is a systematic, and a logical approach, where the procedure is defined step-wise.
- It gives the solution to a specific problem.
- This solution would be translated to machine code, which is then executed by the system to give the relevant output.
- Many simple operations are combined to help form a more complicated operation, which is performed with ease by the computer.
- Algorithms can be represented using natural language, flowchart and so on.
- It is difficult to understand.
- Plain text is used.
- It is easy to debug.
- Its construction is tough.
- There are no rules to follow while constructing it.
- It can be understood as the pseudocode for a program.
Algorithm for linear search
- Start searching for an element from the left-most part of the array.
- Compare one element every iteration with the item_to_be_searched.
- If no matches are found, return -1.
- Otherwise, return the index at which the element is present.
Flowchart
- It is a graphical representation of an algorithm.
- Programmers use it as a program-planning tool in order to solve a problem.
- It uses symbols that are inter-connected.
- This will help indicate the flow of control and information, and processing.
- The process of drawing a flowchart for an algorithm is known as "flowcharting".
- It is a diagram that can be created using different shapes to represent flow of data.
- It is easy to understand.
- It is difficult to debug.
- It is easy to build.
- Certain riles are to be followed while building it.
- It is a graphical representation of logic.
Flowchart for Switch Statement
