ALGORITHM
AND
PSEUDOCODE
UNDERSTANDING BASICS WITH EXAMPLES
WHAT IS AN ALGORITHM?
• - An algorithm is a step-by-step procedure to solve a problem.
• - It consists of a finite number of steps.
• - Used in computing and problem-solving.
CHARACTERISTICS OF AN ALGORITHM
• - **Input**: Takes zero or more inputs.
• - **Output**: Produces at least one output.
• - **Definiteness**: Each step is clearly defined.
• - **Finiteness**: Must complete in a finite number of steps.
• - **Effectiveness**: Each step must be simple enough to be executed.
EXAMPLE WITH CHARACTERISTICS
APPLIED
1.Start.
2. Take an array of numbers as input.
3. Assume the first number is the largest (max = arr[0]).
4. Loop through the array from the second element to the last:
• If the current element is greater than max, update max.
5. After the loop ends, max contains the largest number.
6. Print max.
7. Stop.
CHECKING THE CHARACTERISTICS:
1. Well-Defined Inputs – The algorithm takes an array as input.
2. Well-Defined Outputs – It produces the largest number in the array.
3. Definiteness – Each step is clear and precise.
4. Finiteness – The loop runs a finite number of times (equal to the array length).
5. Effectiveness – Uses basic operations (comparison and assignment).
6. Generality – Works for any numerical array.
7. Correctness – Always finds the largest number correctly.
WHAT IS PSEUDOCODE?
• - A way of writing algorithms using plain language and programming logic.
• - It is **not** actual code but helps in designing logic before coding.
• Pseudocode is language-agnostic, meaning it can be translated into any
programming language."
• - Helps in easy understanding of logic before implementation.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ALGORITHM
AND PSEUDOCODE
• - **Algorithm**: A conceptual step-by-step process.
• - **Pseudocode**: A structured way to express an algorithm in
human-readable format.
• - Pseudocode helps in translating an algorithm into actual
programming code.
EXAMPLE: FINDING THE LARGEST
NUMBER
• **Algorithm:**
• 1. Start
• 2. Take three numbers: A, B, and C
• 3. Compare A with B and C
• 4. If A is largest, print A
• 5. Else compare B with C
• 6. If B is largest, print B
• 7. Else print C
• 8. Stop
BEGIN
INPUT A, B, C
IF A > B AND A > C THEN
PRINT "A is the largest"
ELSE IF B > C THEN
PRINT "B is the largest“
ELSE
PRINT "C is the largest“
ENDIF
END
FLOWCHART: FINDING THE LARGEST
NUMBER
FLOWCHART SYMBOLS USED:
• Oval (Start/Stop) – Represents the start and end of the
flowchart.
• Parallelogram (Input/Output) – Represents input (taking
values) and output (printing results).
• Rectangle (Process) – Represents processing steps like
comparisons.
• Diamond (Decision) – Represents conditional checks
(e.g., A > B?).
THE END
Marjan Durrani