Alogorithm Specification and Design notations.

Question 1

What is an algorithm

Answer 1

An alogorthim is a sequence if steps taken to solve a problem
It is not a program. Instead it is a a description of a program that needs to be coded

Question 2

What does an alogorthim contain

Answer 2

Contains two elements.
The actions that need to be taken to solve the problem. Such as computational steps
The order in which these are meant to be carried out

Question 3

Name programming languages

Answer 3

Live code
C++
Java script

Question 4

What is the algorithm I must Know

Answer 4

Input validation

Question 5

What is Input validation

Answer 5

It is an algorithms that validates if the data being entered is valid and correct. If not the user will be given the option to re-enter their data.

Question 6

Learn the input validation algorithm in

Answer 6

Pseudocode

And livecode

Question 7

Name two of the most common ways of deigning a program

Answer 7

Pseudocode - text based design which shows the main steps of the program in English like statements

Flow charts - shows main steps of the program in a graphical form

Question 8

What specific type of pseudocode do I need to know

Answer 8

Haggis

Question 9

Spell the text based design that explains the main steps of the program in English like statements

Answer 9

Pseudocode

Question 10

“Pseudocode is considered a “first draft” of the actual program.
It is an artificial and informal tool, written in programmer’s language, helps to make algorithms.
concentrates on logic of program - not syntax errors - should be a description of an algorithm in detail to allow implementation be easy
The design is built up of two parts, the first is the Stepwise Design. This shows the main steps of the program.

Answer 10

The second part is the Stepwise Refinement. This involves breaking these main steps into even smaller steps so eventually, one line of pseudocode becomes one line of program code.
The design language is called HAGGIS and is a requirement of the SQA.

Question 11

What does the command RECIEVE do.

Answer 11

The command RECEIVE is used get input. Similar to ASK used in LiveCode.

Question 12

What does the command SEND do?

Answer 12

The command SEND is used for output. Similar to PUT used in LiveCode.”

Question 13

Put in livecode is what in Pseudocode

Answer 13

Send

Question 14

Pseudocode rules

Answer 14

Simple English like statements
Each instruction on a separate line 
Keywords in capitals eg. IF, THEN, SET, RECIEVE SEND, END etc. 
Indentation to show structure 
Top to bottom

Question 15

What does the oval in flow charts represent

Answer 15

The start and end of program

Question 16

Arrow

Answer 16

Represents flow line-

Connects flow chart symbols and show sequence of operations

Question 17

Rectangle

Answer 17

Represents process

Indicates an operation being carried out by the program

Question 18

Parallelogram

Answer 18

Represents Data Input and output -

Allows users to enter data and results be displayed

Question 19

Diamond

Answer 19

Decision - indicate a decision structure . Always has two flow lines
One for yes
.other for no