DCT 1123
PROBLEM SOLVING & ALGORITHM
INTRODUCTION TO PROGRAMMING
CONTENTS
COMPUTER PROGRAMMING
CONCEPTS
PROBLEM SOLVING
OVERVIEW
ALGORITHM OVERVIEW
(PSEUDOCODE &
FLOWCHART)
What is Computer Programming?
Writing software, computer programs, is
describing how to do something.
It is a lot like writing down the steps it
takes to do something - a process.
Programming Language
We need a language to communicate with a
computer.
Computer languages are used to tell the
computer what to do, you instruct it.
Once it is written, the programmer uses a
compiler to turn it into a language that the
computer can understand.
Most software written today is using high level
language such as C++, JAVA and etc.
Programming Language
Top Programming Language Rank
[Link]
History of Programming
History of Programming
History of Programming
History of Programming
History of Programming
History of Programming
History of Programming
Software
15
Software: programs that do specific tasks
Examples
Word processors
Operating systems
Spreadsheets
All software is written in programming languages
The Language of a
Computer
Digital signals are sequences of 0s
and 1s
Machine language: language of a
computer
Binary digit (bit):
The digit 0 or 1
Binary code:
A sequence of 0s and 1s
Byte:
A sequence of eight bits
16
Assembly Language
17
Assembler: translates a program written in
assembly language into machine language
High-Level Languages
High-level languages include Basic,
FORTRAN, COBOL, Pascal, C, C++, C#,
and Java
Compiler: translates a program written
in a high-level language machine
language
The equation wages = rate x hours
can be written in C++ as:
wages = rate * hours;
18
Processing a C++ Program
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main()
{
cout << "Welcome to C++
programming." << endl;
return 0;
}
Sample Run:
???
19
Processing a C++ Program
(continued)
To process a program written in C++:
Use an editor (IDE) to create a source
program in C++
Use the compiler to:
Check that the program obeys the rules
Translate into machine language (object
program)
Run code through compiler
If compiler generates errors
Look at code and remove errors
The final step is to execute the program
20
Programming Methodologies
Two popular approaches to programming design
Structured
Implementing a structured design
Object-oriented
Identify components called objects
21
What is Problem Solving ?
The process of working through details of a
problem to reach a solution.
Problem solving may include mathematical or
systematic operations and can be a complicated
of an individual's critical thinking skills.
Algorithm Overview
An algorithm is like a recipe; it lists the steps
involved in accomplishing a task
In a programming, it is a set of detailed,
unambiguous and ordered instructions developed
to describe the processes necessary to produce
desired output
Pseudocode & flowcharts are popular ways of
representing algorithms
Written in simple English
Algorithm Overview
For example, if you want to instruct someone to
add up a list of prices on a pocket calculator, you
might write:
Turn on calculator
Clear calculator
Repeat the following instructions
Key in ringgit amount
Key in decimal point
Key in cents amount
Press addition (+) key
Until all prices have been entered
Write down total price
Turn off calculator
Pseudocode
Easy to read & write and allows programmer to concentrate
on the logic of the problem
Statements are written in simple English
Each instruction is written on a separate line
Keyword & indentation are used to signify particular control
structures
Each set of instructions is written from top to bottom, with
only one entry and one exit
Groups of statements may be formed into modules, and
that group given a name
Example Pseudocode
Write a program that obtains two integer
numbers from the user. It will print out the
sum of those numbers.
Pseudocode:
Begin
1. PROMPT user for the first number
2. READ user's first integer input (N1)
3. PROMPT user for thesecond number
4. READ user's second integer input (N2)
5. ADD first integer and second integer into sum
(SUM=N1+N2)
6. DISPLAY the result (SUM)
END
Flowchart
Flowchart is an alternative method of
representing algorithms
It is popular because they graphically represent
the program logic through series of standard
geometric symbols and connecting lines
Flowchart Symbols
Terminal Symbol
Indicates the starting or stopping point
in the logic. Every flowchart should
begin and end with a terminal symbol.
Input / Output Symbol
Represents an input or output process
in an algorithm, such as reading input
or writing output
Flowchart Symbols
Process Symbol
Represents any single process in an
algorithm, such as assigning a value or
performing a calculation
Predefined Process Symbol
Represents an input or output process
in an algorithm, such as reading input
or writing output
Flowchart Symbols
Decision Symbol
Represents a decision in the logic
involving the comparison of two values.
Alternative paths are followed,
depending on whether the decision
symbol is true or false
Flowlines
Connect various symbols in a
flowchart, and contain an arrowhead
only when the flow control is not from
top to bottom or left to right
Guidelines for Drawing a
Flowchart
The following are some guidelines in
flowcharting:
1. All necessary requirements should be listed
out in logical order.
2. The flowchart should be clear, neat and easy
to follow.
3. The usual direction of the flow of a procedure
or system is from left to right or top to
bottom.
Guidelines for Drawing a
Flowchart (Cont.)
4. Only one flow line should come out from a
process symbol.
5. Only one flow line should enter a decision
symbol, but two should leave the decision
symbol.
X=9 TRUE
9
FALSE
Guidelines for Drawing a
Flowchart (Cont.)
6. Only one flow line is used in conjunction with
terminal symbol.
START
END
Sample Pseudocode &
Flowchart
Begin
Input letter
If letter is ‘M’
Display
‘Malaysian’
Else
Display
‘Foreigner’
End
End
Exercise
Print Hello World 1 times
Pseudocode (in simple English)
Begin
Print Hello World (I/O)
End
Flowchart
????
Exercise
Print your name 1 times
Pseudocode (in simple English)
????
Flowchart
????
Exercise
To solve this problem we will take a variable sum and set it
to zero.
Then we will take the two numbers 10 and 20 as input.
Next we will add both the numbers and save the result in
the variable sum i.e., sum = 10 + 20.
Finally, we will print the value stored in the variable sum.
Answer
Pseudocode (in simple English)
Begin
Initialize sum = 0 (PROCESS)
Enter the numbers (I/O)
Add them and store the result in sum (PROCESS)
Print sum (I/O)
End
Flowchart
Exercise
To solve this problem we will take a variable total and set it
to zero.
Then we will take the three numbers 1, 2 and 3 as input.
Next we will add three numbers and save the result in the
variable total
i.e., sum = 1 + 2 + 3.
Finally, we will print the value stored in the variable total.
Write your algorithm for this problem?
