MON - AUGUST 18, 2025
Programming and
Pseudocode Algorithms
MR MTHENGO F
GRADE 12
OBJECTIVES
• Concept of Programming Language
• Program Structure
• Reserved Words
• Data Types
• Types of Variables
• Simple Programs
• Pseudocode and Algorithms
• Past Paper Exam Questions
Concept of Programming
Language
Definition
A programming language is a structured way of
giving instructions to a computer. Since computers
only understand binary (0s and 1s), we use a
programming language as a bridge between
humans and machines.
Categories of Programming
Languages
1. Low-Level Languages
Machine Language → written in binary (0s
and 1s). Very fast but difficult for humans.
Assembly Language → uses mnemonics
(like MOV A, 5) and requires an assembler.
1. High-Level Languages
Closer to English, easy to understand.
Require translators (compiler or
interpreter).
Examples: Pascal, C++, Python, Java.
Compilers vs Interpreters
Compiler: Translates whole program at
once (C++, Pascal).
Interpreter: Translates line by line (Python,
BASIC).
“Pascal and C++ are high-level, compiled programming languages.”
Program Structure
A good program must follow a clear structure. In
both Pascal and C++, the structure can be broken
into:
1. Program Header / Name
Identifies the program.
Pascal: Program MyProgram;
C++: #include <iostream> then using
namespace std;
2. Declaration Section
Where variables and constants are declared.
Pascal:
• Var
• age: Integer;
• name: String;
C++:
• int age;
• string name;
3. Beginning of Program
Pascal: Begin
C++: int main() {
5. Ending
Pascal: End.
C++: return 0; }
In Pascal, the final End. must have a full stop; missing it is a common error.
Reserved Words
Definition
Reserved words (or keywords) are words that have
special meaning in a language and cannot be
used as identifiers.
Examples
Pascal: Program, Begin, End, Var, If,
Then, Else, For, While, Do.
C++: int, float, if, else, while, for,
return, class, public.
Data Types
User-defined Data Types
Created by the programmer.
Pascal:
Type
Age = Integer;
StudentName = String[30];
C++:
typedef unsigned int Age;
struct Student {
string name;
int age;
};
Types of Variables
User-defined Data Types
Integer → whole numbers (e.g., 4, -9).
• Pascal: Var age: Integer;
• C++: int age;
Real (Float) → decimal numbers (e.g., 3.14).
• Pascal: Var price: Real;
• C++: float price;
Character → single letters (‘A’, ‘Z’, ‘1’).
• Pascal: Var grade: Char;
• C++: char grade;
Boolean → logical values (TRUE/FALSE).
• Pascal: Var status: Boolean;
• C++: bool status;
Simple Programs
Pascal Example – Sum of Two Numbers
Program SumNumbers;
Var
num1, num2, sum: Integer;
Begin
Write('Enter first number: ');
Readln(num1);
Write('Enter second number: ');
Readln(num2);
sum := num1 + num2;
Writeln('The sum is: ', sum);
End.
C++ Example – Sum of Two Numbers
#include<iostream>
using namespace std;
int main() {
int num1, num2, sum;
cout << "Enter first number: ";
cin >> num1;
cout << "Enter second number: ";
cin >> num2;
sum = num1 + num2;
cout << "The sum is: " << sum << endl;
return 0;
}
Pseudocode and Algorithms
Pseudocode
A way of writing algorithms using structured
English-like statements.
Not tied to any programming language.
Example (Add Two Numbers):
BEGIN
INPUT num1, num2
sum ← num1 + num2
OUTPUT sum
END
Algorithm
Step-by-step instructions to solve a problem.
Must be finite, clear, and effective.
First design an algorithm, then write it as
pseudocode, then convert to Pascal/C++ code.
END OF LESSON
