2.1.3

Pseudocode & Flow Diagrams

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Pseudocode

Pseudocode is a common way of representing an algorithm.

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Pseudocode

  • Pseudocode is a way to write out algorithms using code-like statements.
  • It is intended to be very readable, and easy to understand.
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Purpose of pseudocode

  • Pseudocode isn't a programming language.
  • Pseudocode is used to plan algorithms, focusing on the logic and steps rather than language-specific syntax.
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OCR pseudocode

  • OCR have produced their own pseudocode which will be used in this course.
  • You do not need to write pseudocode exactly as they do, as long as it is clear what you are doing.
  • You do need to be able to understand their style of pseudocode.

Flow Diagrams

Flow diagrams are used to represent a given algorithm.

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Flow diagrams

  • Flow diagrams are used to visually represent the steps that make up an algorithm.
  • A standard set of shapes are used to represent different types of step.
  • Arrows represent the flow of control, or what to execute next.
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Standard shapes

  • An oval is used for the start and end of a program.
  • A rectangle is used to represent a process.
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Standard shapes

  • A parallelogram is used to represent an input or an output.
  • A diamond is used to represent a decision:
    • A decision has two labelled arrows coming out of it.
    • The 'Yes' arrow is followed if the condition in the diamond was true, otherwise the 'No' arrow is followed.

Jump to other topics

1Computer Systems

1.1Systems Architecture

1.2Memory & Storage

1.3Computer Networks, Connections & Protocols

1.4Network Security

1.5Systems Software

1.6Ethical, Legal, Cultural & Environmental Concern

2Computational Thinking, Algorithms and Programming

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