2.1.4 Thinking Logically

Question 1

Decision making in problem solving

Answer 1

• A decision is a result reached after some consideration.
• When solving problems and designing programs, many decisions have to be made.
• Examples include choosing the programming paradigm used and deciding how different information is collected from the user
• To simplify the decision making process, we limit the solutions we can pick from.
• When deciding on a programming language, you should consider what is suited to the task and your understanding of the language.
• Identifying where decisions need to be made early allows us to gather enough information about our options.
• In flow charts, a decision is shown by a diamond shaped icon. It can have two results, yes or no (true/false).

Question 2

Conditions that affect the outcome of a decision

Answer 2

• When making a decision, there are certain factors which determine the outcome you choose.
• What is most effective?
• What is most convenient?
• Is this option reasonable?
• To make an appropriate decision, you need to evaluate these conditions.
• It is also helpful to order them from most important to least important.
• This makes it clearer how best to achieve your solution.

Question 3

Decisions affecting the flow of a program

Answer 3

• Decisions are made to determine how different parts of the program are completed.
• Say we are tasked with designing a simple runner game. We could design the game to be endless, or level-based.
• These decisions produce different routes through the program.
• It is also important to identify where decisions need to be made within the program, and plan out the outcomes of the decision made.
• Again, the program follows a different route depending on the decision made by the user.