ALGORITHMS AND
FLOWCHARTS
Lecture 1: Problem Analysis
By: Ashutosh Mishra
ALGORITHMS AND FLOWCHARTS
A typical programming task can be divided into
two phases:
Problem solving phase
produce an ordered sequence of steps that describe
solution of problem
this sequence of steps is called an algorithm
Implementation phase
implement the program in some programming
language
Steps in Problem Solving
First produce a general algorithm (one can use
pseudocode)
Refine the algorithm successively to get step by
step detailed algorithm that is very close to a
computer language.
Pseudocode is an artificial and informal
language that helps programmers develop
algorithms. Pseudocode is very similar to
everyday English.
Pseudocode & Algorithm
Example 1: Write an algorithm to
determine a student’s final grade and
indicate whether it is passing or failing.
The final grade is calculated as the
average of four marks.
Pseudocode & Algorithm
Pseudocode:
Input a set of 4 marks
Calculate their average by summing and dividing
by 4
if average is below 50
Print “FAIL”
else
Print “PASS”
Pseudocode & Algorithm
Detailed Algorithm
Step 1: Input M1,M2,M3,M4
Step 2: GRADE (M1+M2+M3+M4)/4
Step 3: if (GRADE < 50) then
Print “FAIL”
else
Print “PASS”
endif
The Flowchart
(Dictionary) A schematic representation of a sequence of
operations, as in a manufacturing process or computer
program.
(Technical) A graphical representation of the sequence
of operations in an information system or program.
Information system flowcharts show how data flows from source
documents through the computer to final distribution to users.
Program flowcharts show the sequence of instructions in a
single program or subroutine. Different symbols are used to
draw each type of flowchart.
The Flowchart
A Flowchart
shows logic of an algorithm
emphasizes individual steps and their
interconnections
e.g. control flow from one action to the next
Flowchart Symbols
Basic
Name Symbol Use in Flowchart
Oval Denotes the beginning or end of the program
Parallelogram Denotes an input operation
Rectangle Denotes a process to be carried out
e.g. addition, subtraction, division etc.
Diamond Denotes a decision (or branch) to be made.
The program should continue along one of
two routes. (e.g. IF/THEN/ELSE)
Hybrid Denotes an output operation
Flow line Denotes the direction of logic flow in the program
Example
START
Step 1: Input M1,M2,M3,M4
Step 2: GRADE (M1+M2+M3+M4)/4
Input Step 3: if (GRADE <50) then
M1,M2,M3,M4
Print “FAIL”
else
GRADE(M1+M2+M3+M4)/4 Print “PASS”
endif
N Y
IS
GRADE<50
PRINT PRINT
“PASS” “FAIL”
STOP
Example 2
Write an algorithm and draw a flowchart to
convert the length in feet to centimeter.
Pseudocode:
Input the length in feet (Lft)
Calculate the length in cm (Lcm) by
multiplying LFT with 30
Print length in cm (LCM)
Example 2
Flowchart
Algorithm START
Step 1: Input Lft
Input
Step 2: Lcm Lft x 30
Lft
Step 3: Print Lcm Lcm Lft x 30
Print
Lcm
STOP
Example 3
Write an algorithm and draw a flowchart that
will read the two sides of a rectangle and
calculate its area.
Pseudocode
Input the width (W) and Length (L) of a rectangle
Calculate the area (A) by multiplying L with W
Print A
Example 3
Algorithm START
Step 1: Input W,L Input
W, L
Step 2: AL x W
Step 3: Print A ALxW
Print
A
STOP
Flowcharts
Flowcharts is a graph used to depict or show a
step by step solution using symbols which
represent a task.
The symbols used consist of geometrical shapes
that are connected by flow lines.
It is an alternative to pseudocoding; whereas a
pseudocode description is verbal, a flowchart is
graphical in nature.
Principles of Programming - NI July
2005 15
Flowchart – sequence control structure
Statement 1
Statement 2
Statement 3
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2005 16
Flowchart – selection control structure
No Yes
Condition
else- then-
statement(s) statement(s)
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Flowchart – repetition control structure
yes Loop
Condition
Statement(s)
no
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Flowchart – example 1
Begin
Read birth date
Calculate
Age = current year – birth date
Display
age
End
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2005 19
Flowchart – example 2
Begin
Read age
YES Age > 55? NO
print “Pencen” print “Kerja lagi”
End
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2005 20
Flowchart – example 5
Begin
sum = 0
current_number = 1
NO
current_number <= 10? print sum
YES
End
sum = sum + current_number
current_number = current_number + 1
Principles of Programming - NI July
2005 21
Exercises: Algorithm &
Flowchart
1.) Create an algorithm and a flowchart that
will compute and print the Area of the
Right Triangle. Note: Define a constant of
0.5 (not a user input) in your answer.
Exercises: Algorithm &
Flowchart
2.) Create an algorithm and a flowchart that
will accept/read two numbers and then
display the bigger number.
Exercises: Algorithm &
Flowchart
3.) Create an algorithm and a flowchart that
will compute the sum of two numbers. If
the sum is below or equal to twenty, two
numbers will be entered again. If the sum
is above 20, it will display the sum.
