Chapter 2:

Algorithmic
Problem Solving

Dr. Mohd Suffian Sulaiman

Faculty of Computer & Mathematical Sciences
Universiti Teknologi MARA
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Learning Outcome:

 Algorithm
 Algorithmin programming
 Pseudocode and flowchart
 Program Development Life Cycle (PDLC)
approach for problem solving.
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Algorithm
 Algorithm is a well-defined computational
procedure that takes some value, or set of values,
as input and produces some value, or set of
values, as output.
 An algorithm is thus a sequence of computational
steps that transform the input into the output.
 Algorithms are always unambiguous and are used
as specifications for performing calculations, data
processing, automated reasoning and other tasks.
 The algorithm can be described in two ways as
follows:
 Pseudocode
 Flowchart
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Algorithm in programming
 Programming is the process of taking an algorithm
and encoding it into a notation, a programming
language, so that it can be executed by a
computer.
 Although many programming languages and many
different types of computers exist, the important first
step is the need to have the solution. Without an
algorithm there can be no program.
 Computer science is not the study of programming.
Programming, however, is an important part of what
a computer scientist does. Programming is often the
way that we create a representation for our
solutions.
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Pseudocode
 Text-based approach  words with our own
language
 Organized like an outline, with differing levels of
indentation to indicate the flow of actions within the
program.
 Help to ‘think out’ before actual coding
 Only consists of executable instruction
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Flow Chart
 Graphical representation
 Use specific shapes/symbols indicate program
behaviors and decision types

Start / Stop program Process Preparation/looping

Decision Connector
Input/output Direction of flow
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Designing algorithm on sequence

structure
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Designing algorithm on sequence

structure - example
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Designing algorithm on selection

structure

One way Two way

true

false
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Designing algorithm on selection

structure
Multi way
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Designing algorithm on selection

structure - example
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Designing algorithm on repetition

structure

Pre-test Post-test
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Designing algorithm on repetition

structure - example
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Program Development Life Cycle

(PDLC)
Step 1:
Describing the problem Problem Analysis

Step 2:
Making a plan Design the algorithm
(Algorithm Development) (pseudocode and flowchart)

Step 3:
Coding Development /
(Speaking the language Implementation
of the computer)

Step 4:
Debugging Testing
(Getting Rid of Errors)

Step 5:
Finishing the project
Maintenance
(Documentation)
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PDLC
Step 1 : Describing the problem
 A process of identifying the output, processes
and input of a program.
 Defining the problem
 Identify :
1. Input (given data)
2. Process
- relation between input and output
- using formula
3. Output (the result)

Input Process Output

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Describing The Problem

• Identify the following:

▫ Input – Prerequisite, data that exists at the
beginning of the problem
▫ Process – Set of steps that need to be done
in getting to the output.
▫ Output – The expected
data/information/result from the program
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Example
Step 1: Problem Analysis

Write a program that can input 3 integer number from user.

Find the average for the number. Display all the numbers and
the average

Problem analysis Input : enter 3 numbers

Process : 1. total up 3 numbers
2. Divide the number by 3 (to find average)
Output : display 3 numbers and the average
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PDLC
Step 2: Making a plan (design the algorithm)
 Planning the solution to a problem
 Plan on how to solve the problem by using:
 Algorithm - Set of specific, sequential steps that
describe exactly what the program must do to
complete the tasks
 Algorithm can be represented by using:
1. Flow Chart
2. Pseudo Code
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Example

Step 2: Making a plan (design the

algorithm)
 Algorithm is a precise step-by-step action
to perform overall task of the program.
1. Set num1, num2, num3, sum=0, avg=0 as integer
2. Read 3 integer number
3. Total up 3 integer number
sum = num1+num2+num3
4. Find the average
avg = sum / 3
5. Display 3 integer number and average
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Example
Flowchart Pseudocode
start

Set num1, num2, num3,

sum=0, avg = 0 as int
Read num1, num2, num3
Calculate sum = num1 + num2 + num3
Calculate avg = sum / 3
Display num1, num2,
num3, avg
START
SET num1, num2, num3, sum=0,
avg=0 as int
INPUT num1,num2,num3
calculate sum = num1+num2+num3
calculate avg = sum / 3
PRINT num1,num2,num3
PRINT avg
END

End
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PDLC

Step 3: Coding / Development / Implementation

 Express solution in a programming language

 Translate
the logic from the flowchart or
pseudocode.
 There are many programming languages :
BASIC, COBOL, Pascal, Fortran, C, C++, Java
etc
 Each language has it’s own syntax (rules of
language)
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Example
Step 3: Coding / implementation / development

Output of the program:

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Step 4 - Debugging
 Eliminating errors
 2 types of errors:
 Syntax Error – violation of rules of a
language in which computer is written
 Forexample: leaving out semicolon (;) would
stop the entire program from working
 Logic Error – error that occurs when a
programmer has used incorrect calculation
or left out a programming procedure.
 For example : number divide by 0 (x÷0)
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Step 5 – Finishing the Project

 Integrate your code/program with others (if
necessary)
 Test the whole complete system
 Development Team
 User
 Documentation
 Testing Result
 User manual/User Guide
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Exercise 1
 Create a flowchart based on the pseudocode as
follows:
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Exercise 2
 Create a flowchart based on the pseudocode as
follows:
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Exercise 3
 Create a flowchart based on the pseudocode as
follows: