Basics on Flowcharts,
Algorithms and Pseudocodes
Ir. Ts. Mat Kamil Awang
Flowchart
• A flowchart can be used to explain a process in a variety of fields.
• A flowchart is a diagrammatic depiction of a program's logical phases.
Flowcharts represent processes using basic geometric shapes and
arrows to highlight linkages and process/data flow.
• A flowchart is a diagram that depicts an algorithm. Programmers
frequently use it as a problem-solving technique. It employs linked
symbols to represent the flow of information and processing.
Flowcharting is the process of creating a flowchart for an algorithm.
Symbols for Flowcharting
Algorithm
• “a procedure for solving a mathematical problem in a finite number of
steps that frequently involves repetition of an operation.”
• In the fields of mathematics and computer science, algorithms are
utilized
• is a procedure for solving a problem in terms of the actions to be
executed and the order in which those actions are to be executed. An
algorithm is merely the sequence of steps taken to solve a problem.
The steps are normally "sequence," "selection, " "iteration," and a
case-type statement
Input Follow Instructions Output
Differences Between Algorithm and
Flowchart
Algorithm Flowchart
A flowchart is a graphic with
An algorithm is a step-by-step
several shapes depicting data
process for resolving a problem.
flow.
An algorithm is complex to Flowcharts are easily
understand. understandable.
Branching and looping are Branching and looping are easily
represented in a complex way. represented.
Algorithms are tough to create. It's easy to make a flowchart.
Algorithms do not adhere to any The construction of a flowchart
set of rules. follows a set of guidelines.
A flowchart is nothing more than
The program's pseudocode is
a graphical representation of that
called an algorithm.
logic.
Using Flowchart for visualization of
Algorithm
Pseudocode
• is an artificial and informal language that helps programmers develop
algorithms. Pseudocode is a "text-based" detail (algorithmic) design
tool.
• The rules of Pseudocode are reasonably straightforward. All
statements showing "dependency" are to be indented. These include
while, do, for, if, switch
• For looping and selection, The keywords that are to be used include
Do While...EndDo; Do Until...Enddo; Case...EndCase; If...Endif; Call ...
with (parameters); Call; Return ....; Return; When; Always use scope
terminators for loops and iteration.
Pseudocode Keywords
• For looping and selection, The keywords that are to be used include Do
While...EndDo; Do Until...Enddo; Case...EndCase; If...Endif; Call ... with
(parameters); Call; Return ....; Return; When; Always use scope terminators
for loops and iteration.
• As verbs, use the words Generate, Compute, Process, etc. Words such as set,
reset, increment, compute, calculate, add, sum, multiply, ... print, display,
input, output, edit, test , etc. with careful indentation tend to foster
desirable pseudocode.
• Do not include data declarations in your pseudocode.
Algorithm versus Pseudocode - example
Flowchart
Start
Input length
in feet
Calculate length in cm
Lcm=lftx30.48
Output
length in cm
End
Algorithm, Flowchart and Program - example