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Algorithms and Pseudocode

The document explains the distinctions between algorithms, pseudocode, and programs. An algorithm is a systematic procedure for solving problems, pseudocode is a simplified representation of an algorithm in plain language, and a program is the actual code written in a specific programming language. It emphasizes that while algorithms and pseudocode serve as planning tools, programs are the executable instructions for computers.

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friasjames09
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2 views

Algorithms and Pseudocode

The document explains the distinctions between algorithms, pseudocode, and programs. An algorithm is a systematic procedure for solving problems, pseudocode is a simplified representation of an algorithm in plain language, and a program is the actual code written in a specific programming language. It emphasizes that while algorithms and pseudocode serve as planning tools, programs are the executable instructions for computers.

Uploaded by

friasjames09
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Algorithm, Pseudocode and Program

The most common misconception that an algorithm and a pseudocode is one of the same
things. No, they are not!

Basic Definition :

Algorithm : Systematic logical approach which is a well-defined, step-by-step procedure that


allows a computer to solve a problem.

Pseudocode : It is a simpler version of a programming code in plain English which uses short
phrases to write code for a program before it is implemented in a specific programming
language.

Program : It is exact code written for problem following all the rules of the programming
language.

Algorithm

An algorithm is used to provide a solution to a particular problem in form of well-defined steps.


Whenever you use a computer to solve a particular problem, the steps which lead to the solution
should be properly communicated to the computer. While executing an algorithm on a computer,
several operations such as additions and subtractions are combined to perform more complex
mathematical operations.

Algorithm - it’s an organized logical sequence of the actions or the approach towards a
particular problem. A programmer implements an algorithm to solve a problem. Algorithms are
expressed using natural verbal but somewhat technical annotations.

Algorithms can be expressed using natural language, flowcharts, etc.

Let’s take a look at an example for a better understanding. As a programmer, we are all aware of
the Linear Search program. (Linear Search)

Algorithm of linear search :

1. Start from the leftmost element of arr[] and


one by one compare x with each element of arr[].
2. If x matches with an element, return the index.
3. If x doesn’t match with any of elements, return -1.

Here, we can see how the steps of a linear search program are explained in a simple, English
language.
Pseudocode

It is one of the methods which can be used to represent an algorithm for a program. It does
not have a specific syntax like any of the programming languages and thus cannot be executed
on a computer. There are several formats which are used to write pseudo-codes and most of them
take down the structures from languages such as C, C#, Python, Visual Basic, etc.

Many time algorithms are presented using pseudocode since they can be read and understood by
programmers who are familiar with different programming languages. Pseudocode allows you to
include several control structures such as While, If-then-else, Repeat-until, for and case, which
is present in many high-level languages.

Pseudocode is a term which is often used in programming and algorithm-based fields. It is a


methodology that allows the programmer to represent the implementation of an algorithm.
Simply, we can say that it’s the cooked-up representation of an algorithm.

Often at times, algorithms are represented with the help of pseudo codes as they can be
interpreted by programmers no matter what their programming background or knowledge is.
Pseudo code, as the name suggests, is a false code or a representation of code which can be
understood by even a layman with some school level programming knowledge.

Pseudocode: It’s simply an implementation of an algorithm in the form of annotations and


informative text written in plain English. It has no syntax like any of the programming language
and thus can’t be compiled or interpreted by the computer.

Advantages of Pseudocode

 Improves the readability of any approach. It’s one of the best approaches to start
implementation of an algorithm.
 Acts as a bridge between the program and the algorithm or flowchart. Also works as a
rough documentation, so the program of one developer can be understood easily when a
pseudo code is written out. In industries, the approach of documentation is essential. And
that’s where a pseudo-code proves vital.
 The main goal of a pseudo code is to explain what exactly each line of a program should
do, hence making the code construction phase easier for the programmer.

Note: Pseudocode is not an actual programming language.

Pseudocode for Linear Search :

FUNCTION linearSearch(list, searchTerm):


FOR index FROM 0 -> length(list):
IF list[index] == searchTerm THEN
RETURN index
ENDIF
ENDLOOP
RETURN -1
END FUNCTION
In here, we haven’t used any specific programming language but wrote the steps of a linear
search in a simpler form which can be further modified into a proper program.

Program

A program is a set of instructions for the computer to follow. The machine can’t read a program
directly, because it only understands machine code. But you can write stuff in a computer
language, and then a compiler or interpreter can make it understandable to the computer.

Program for Linear Search (Written in C++):

// C++ code for linearly search x in arr[]. If x


// is present then return its location, otherwise
// return -1
int search(int arr[], int n, int x)
{
int i;
for (i = 0; i < n; i++)
if (arr[i] == x)
return i;
return -1;
}

Algorithm vs Psuedocode vs Program

1. An algorithm is defined as a well-defined sequence of steps that provides a solution for a


given problem, whereas a pseudocode is one of the methods that can be used to represent
an algorithm.

2. While algorithms are generally written in a natural language or plain English language,
pseudocode is written in a format that is similar to the structure of a high-level
programming language. Program on the other hand allows us to write a code in a particular
programming language.

So, as depicted above you can clearly see how the algorithm is used to generate the
pseudocode which is further expanded by following a particular syntax of a programming
language to create the code of the program.

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