Understanding and producing algorithms questions
Q1. Describe three different ways you could produce an algorithm.
Q2. What is meant by the phrase ‘language independent’ when talking about pseudo-code?
Q3. Write some pseudo-code for the following: You have to input two numbers and add them together. If the total is less than 20, you should display “Lose” but if it is 20 or more, you should display “Win”. You will need to look up on the Internet the flowchart symbol for manually inputting data and the symbol for displaying data on a VDU.
Q4. Draw a flowchart that does what is described in question 3 above.
Q5. Draw a flowchart for the following: you have to enter a password. If the password is incorrect, you have to enter it again. You keep doing this until the correct password is entered.
Q6. There is a problem with the way the password entry works in question 4 above. What is it and how might you overcome this problem?
Q7. What is the symbol for a decision in a flowchart?
Q8. What is the symbol for processing some data or a calculation in a flowchart?
Q9. You can easily make flowcharts if you have Logicator at school. However, there are lots of open source applications. Try Meesoft's 'Diagram Designer' to draw one of the above flowcharts.
Q10. Many software applications are moving online, so you don't have to install and maintain the software. Search for and use an online flowchart designing application. How easy is it to use once you have created a free account compared to an open source application or Logicator?