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Correcting Algorithms

The document discusses common errors in algorithms, including incorrect identifiers, operators, and missing processes. It emphasizes the importance of careful attention to detail, such as distinguishing between similar-looking characters and operators. Examples are provided to illustrate how to identify and correct these algorithmic mistakes.

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17 views5 pages

Correcting Algorithms

The document discusses common errors in algorithms, including incorrect identifiers, operators, and missing processes. It emphasizes the importance of careful attention to detail, such as distinguishing between similar-looking characters and operators. Examples are provided to illustrate how to identify and correct these algorithmic mistakes.

Uploaded by

jack.topgrade9
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

COMPUTER SCIENCE: OCR GCSE

Correcting Algorithms

[Link]
Correcting Algorithms

As well as knowing what an algorithm does, it's important to be able to fix it if it all goes wrong.

Incorrect identifiers

A common mistake in programs is incorrect identifiers.


Be very careful with uppercase and lowercase letters.
Be careful with similar looking characters:
0 and O.
1 and l (lower case L).
Incorrect operators

Look out for the difference between similar operators such as testing if a number is less
than another, rather than less than or equal to the other.

Missing processes

Sometimes a line of code has been forgotten, which can lead to issues such as infinite
loops, where the code will never end.
Examples of how to Correct Algorithms

Incorrect identifiers

In this example, there is a problem on line 1.


Weather has initially been misspelt.
If the program were to run, the programmer would see an error indicating that there is
no variable named waether. So, the program can not see if the value of sun is stored
within the weather variable.
Incorrect operators

This code determines whether a number is odd or even.


A number is even if it is EXACTLY divisible by 2 with NO REMAINDER.
The error is on line 3.
Whilst >= does include 0, it also includes the only other answer of 1.
If this program were to be run, all numbers would be shown as even.
To fix the code, we need to replace > with =

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