Day 4 of my ALX Software Engineering Journey: Algorithm, Pseudocode, Flowchart.

Algorithm:

When you are faced with a challenge, a good way to solve it, is by mapping a set of steps to tackle it and algorithms do just that. Algorithms are logical procedures followed to solve a problem. Algorithms can be represented either using a flowchart or pseudocode.

Flowcharts:

These are diagrammatic representations that use diagrams(usually shapes) to illustrate procedures followed to implement an algorithm. In a flow chart, various shapes indicate various steps and procedures. Some examples are :

1. Ellipse: indicates where a process starts or stops.

2 . Parallelogram: indicates input and output into a process.

3. Rectangle: indicates process or steps taken.

4. Arrow: indicates the direction of the flow of ideas.

Here is a flow chart I made to calculate the sum of squares of a given input of numbers.

Pseudocode

Pseudocode: is an informal high-level method of representing an algorithm. In simpler terms it’s just the use of words to describe steps you would take to solve a problem. It is void of syntax but some programmers may decide to implement some syntax from any programming language they are conversant with.

Here is an example of a pseudocode I wrote to calculate the sum of squares of a given input of numbers.

Line 1: I created a variable that will hold the value n.

Line 2: I created a variable to hold the sum of the squares.

Line 3: I assigned the results of the formula to the variable sumOfSquares.

Line 4: is the output of the algorithm.

This way I would be able to pick any programming language to implement this algorithm.

Conclusion:

Solving problems are easier if you have an algorithm to follow. Your programming language is just a tool to solve that problem . Problem solving is a skill and routine documentation of algorithms would help you hone that skill.

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