Basic Programming Concepts
Session 1
Session Objectives
Discuss algorithms
Draw flowcharts
List the symbols used in flowcharts
Discuss variables
List the different data types and make use of them in your own C
programs
List and explain the different methods used for testing an algorithm
Test a program using dry run method
Understand the structure of a sample C program
Identify the types of errors that can occur
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Basic Approach to Writing a
Program
C
BASIC # include <stdio.h>
void main()
10 Input name$ {
char name[15];
20 Print “Hello”; name$ scanf(“Enter name : %s”, &name);
30 END printf(“Hello %S”, name);
}
JAVA
Class Hello
{
public static void main(String args[]) Basic approach to programming
{ has remained the same inspite of
String name;
System.in.readln(name); variations in languages. The
System.out.println(“hello “ + name); three codes perform the same
}
} task.
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The Programming Approach to
Solving Problems Classroom
Algorithm is a set of steps that
are performed to solve a
problem. The example below
describes an algorithm Leaving the
classroom
Head towards
the staircase
Go to the
basement
Head for the
cafeteria These are the steps followed when a
student wants to go to the cafeteria
from the classroom.
Cafeteria
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Solving a Problem
In order to solve a problem
Understand the problem clearly
Gather the relevant information
Process the information
Arrive at the solution
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Pseudocode
It is not actual code. A method of algorithm - writing which uses
a standard set of words which makes it resemble code.
BEGIN
DISPLAY ‘Hello World !’
END
Each pseudocode starts with a BEGIN
To show some value , the word DISPLAY is used
The pseudocode finishes with an END
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Flowcharts
It is a graphical representation of an algorithm
START
DISPLAY ‘Hello World !’
STOP
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The Flowchart Symbol
Start or End of the program
Computational Steps
Input/Output Instructions
Decision making
& Branching
Connectors
Flow Line
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Variables
Memory
Data15 15
Data in memory
Each location in the memory is unique
Variables allow to provide a meaningful name for the location in memory
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An Example
BEGIN
DISPlAY ‘Enter 2 numbers’
INPUT A, B
C=A+B
DISPLAY C
END
A, B and C are variables in the pseudocode
Variable names takes away the need for a programmer to access
memory locations using their address
The operating system takes care of allocating space for the variables
To refer to the value in the memory space, we need to only use the variable
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Guidelines to be followed while
Naming Variables
Variable names should begin with an alphabet
The first character can be followed by alphanumeric characters
Proper names should be avoided while naming variables
A variable name should be meaningful and descriptive
Confusing letters should be avoided
Some standard variable naming convention should be followed
while programming
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Data Types
A data type describes the kind of data that will fit into a
variable
The name of the variable is preceded with the data type
For example, the data type int would precede the name varName
Datatype variableName
int varName
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Basic Data Types
The basic data types are
int
float char
double boolean
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Derived Data Types
Data type Basic Data
Derived data type
Modifiers types
unsigned int
unsigned int (Permits only
positive numbers)
short int
short int (Occupies less
memory place
space than int)
long/longdouble
long int/double (Occupies more
space than
int/double)
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Testing the Algorithm
The three types of testing are
Dry Run Structured
Walkthrough
Independent
Inspection
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Dry Run
Manual way of testing an algorithm for correctness
The values of the variables are tracked through every line of
the code
A table is first created, with as many number of columns as
the number of variables
The names of the variables are written in the column headers
The values of variables are noted down in the table at every stage
The final result is displayed at the end of the execution of the
code
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An Example of Dry Run
Step 1. Start
Step 2. X = 10 X Y M
Step 3. Y = 5 Initial values 10 5 0
Step 4. M = 0 After Step 5 10 5 65
Step 5. M = X+Y+(X*Y) After step 6 10 9 65
Step 6. Y = Y+4 After step 7 10 9 74
Step 7. M = M+Y
Step 8. Display X,Y,M
Step 9. End
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Independent Inspection
Algorithm is given to
Person 2
Person 1 Person 2 (not worked on the logic)
Returns the algorithm
to person 1 after using dry run
for testing
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Structured Walkthrough
Peers will give
suggestions and
will suggest errors
Algorithm is or inefficiencies
passed on
Peers
The algorithm is accepted totally,
accepted after minor changes or
Person 1 rejected totally
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A Sample C Program
# include <stdio.h>
void main() Program working begins here
{
int a, b,c; Variables declared
printf(“Enter the first number : “);
scanf(“%d”, &a);
printf(“Enter the second number : “); Accepting input
scanf(“%d”, &b);
c=a+b;
printf(“The sum of the numbers is %d”, c); Displaying number
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Errors
An error is a deviation of a program from the result required
The three types of errors are:
Logical errors
Syntax errors
Run time errors
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Other important programming
concepts I
Object Code
Source Code COMPILER O/S
Source Code
Compiler converts source code into object code, that is understood and
executed by O/S.
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Other important programming
concepts II
INTERPRETER O/S
Source Code
Each instruction in the source code is the interpreter and passed on to
the O/S , where it is executed.
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