Flowcharts and pseudocode
Learn How flowcharts and pseudocode help in solving programming problems.
Flowcharts
Flowcharts are commonly used in programming to visually represent the logic and flow of a program. A flowchart is a diagram that uses different shapes and symbols to represent various stages of a process.
Common Flowchart symbols
Flowcharts have some standard symbols that allow them to be read and understood by a wider group of people. These are some of the most commonly used symbols:
Let us learn about these symbols and what are they used for:
Start / Stop - An oval shape indicates the starting and ending points of the flow chart.
Input / Output - A parallelogram is used to represent input and output in a flow chart.
Processing - A rectangle is used to represent a process such as mathematical computation or variable assignment
Condition - A diamond shape is used to represent a conditional statement that results in true or false (Yes or No).
Flow direction of the program - An arrow shape is used to represent the flow of the program.
Example - Input a number and print whether it is prime or not.
Flowchart:
Pseudocode:
Start
Input num
if num <= 1
- print "neither prime nor composite"
c = 2
while c < num
if num % c = 0
Output "Not Prime"
Exit
c = c + 1
end while
Output "Prime"
Exit
Why even use flowcharts and pseudocode?
In the above example, you can easily code by yourself you don't even need to create a flowchart and pseudocode for this. But for complex problems, you cannot just code right away. For complex problems, you need a structured way to plan and design a program before writing actual code. This is especially useful for complex projects where you need to visualize the program logic and structure.
Conclusion
Flowcharts offer a visual way to break down complex problems into manageable steps, making it easier to see the bigger picture and the logical flow of a program. Pseudocode, on the other hand, acts as a friendly bridge between human language and programming syntax, allowing you to write out your thoughts in a more informal and less intimidating manner.
Thanks for reading :)