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Understanding Algorithms and Flowcharts

The document explains algorithms as a set of clear, unambiguous rules for problem-solving, emphasizing the importance of well-defined inputs and outputs, finite processes, feasibility, and language independence. It provides a simple algorithm for adding two numbers and introduces flowcharts as a visual representation of algorithms, detailing common symbols and guidelines for their development. Additionally, example flowcharts illustrate practical applications of the concepts discussed.

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30 views4 pages

Understanding Algorithms and Flowcharts

The document explains algorithms as a set of clear, unambiguous rules for problem-solving, emphasizing the importance of well-defined inputs and outputs, finite processes, feasibility, and language independence. It provides a simple algorithm for adding two numbers and introduces flowcharts as a visual representation of algorithms, detailing common symbols and guidelines for their development. Additionally, example flowcharts illustrate practical applications of the concepts discussed.

Uploaded by

f00dyloverxtream
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Algorithm:

The word Algorithm means “a process or set of rules to be followed in


calculations or other problem-solving operations”. Therefore Algorithm refers
to a set of rules/instructions that step-by-step define how a work is to be
executed upon in order to get the expected results.

 Clear and Unambiguous: Algorithm should be clear and


unambiguous. Each of its steps should be clear in all aspects and
must lead to only one meaning.
 Well-Defined Inputs: If an algorithm says to take inputs, it should
be well-defined inputs.
 Well-Defined Outputs: The algorithm must clearly define what
output will be yielded and it should be well-defined as well.
 Finite-ness: The algorithm must be finite, i.e. it should not end up
in an infinite loops or similar.
 Feasible: The algorithm must be simple, generic and practical,
such that it can be executed upon with the available resources. It
must not contain some future technology, or anything.
 Language Independent: The Algorithm designed must be
language-independent, i.e. it must be just plain instructions that can
be implemented in any language, and yet the output will be same,
as expected.
Problem − Design an algorithm to add two numbers and display the result.
Step 1 − START
Step 2 − declare three integers a, b & c
Step 3 − define values of a & b
Step 4 − add values of a & b
Step 5 − store output of step 4 to c
Step 6 − print c
Step 7 − STOP
Algorithms tell the programmers how to code the program. Alternatively, the
algorithm can be written as −
Step 1 − START ADD
Step 2 − get values of a & b
Step 3 − c ← a + b
Step 4 − display c
Step 5 − STOP

Flowchart:
Flowchart is a diagrammatic representation of sequence of logical steps of a
program. Flowcharts use simple geometric shapes to depict processes and arrows
to show relationships and process/data flow.

Flowchart Symbols
Here is a chart for some of the common symbols used in drawing flowcharts.
Symbol Symbol Name Purpose

Start/Stop Used at the beginning and end of the algorithm to


show start and end of the program.

Process Indicates processes like mathematical operations.

Input/ Output Used for denoting program inputs and outputs.

Decision Stands for decision statements in a program,


where answer is usually Yes or No.

Arrow Shows relationships between different shapes.


On-page Connector Connects two or more parts of a flowchart, which
are on the same page.

Off-page Connector Connects two parts of a flowchart which are spread


over different pages.

Guidelines for Developing Flowcharts


These are some points to keep in mind while developing a flowchart −
 Flowchart can have only one start and one stop symbol
 On-page connectors are referenced using numbers
 Off-page connectors are referenced using alphabets
 General flow of processes is top to bottom or left to right
 Arrows should not cross each other

Example Flowcharts
Here is the flowchart for going to the market to purchase a pen.

Here is a flowchart to calculate the average of two numbers.

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