What is Algorithm?
Algorithm
Basics
The word Algorithm means “a process or set of
rules to be followed in calculations or other
problem-solving operations”. Therefore
Algorithm refers to a set of rules/instructions
that step-by-step define how a work is to be
executed upon in order
What are the Characteristics of an
Algorithm?
Characteristic
• Clear and Unambiguous
• Well defined inputs
• Well defined outputs
• Finite-ness
• Feasible
• Language independent
Howthattois todesign
• The problem an Algorithms?
be solve by this algorithm
• The constraints of the problem that must be considered while
solving the problem
• The input to be taken to solve the problem
• The output to be expected when the problem is solve
• The solution to this problem, in the given constraits
Then the algorithm is written with
the help of above parameters such
that it solves the problem
• Step 1: Fulfilling the pre-requisites
• Step 2: Designing the algorithm
• Step 3: Testing the algorithm by
implementing it.
Advantages
• Easy to understand
• Algorithm is a step-wise representation of a solution to a
given problem.
• In Algorithm the problem is broken down into smaller pieces
or steps hence,
• it is easier for the programmer to convert it into an actual
program.
Disadvantages
• Writing an algorithm takes a long time so its time consuming
• Branching and looping statements are difficult to show in
Algorithms
What is a Flowchart?
• Flowchart is a graphical representation of an
algorithm. Programmers often use it as a program-
planning tool to solve a problem. It makes use of
symbols which are connected among them to
indicate the flow of information and processing.
• The process of drawing a flowchart for an
algorithm is known as “flowcharting”.
Basic Symbols used in
Flowchart Designs
• Terminal: The oval symbol indicates Start, Stop and
Halt in a program’s logic flow. A pause/halt is generally
used in a program logic under some error conditions.
Terminal is the first and last symbols in the flowchart.
• Input/Output: A parallelogram denotes any function of
input/output type. Program instructions that take input
from input devices and display output on output
devices are indicated with parallelogram in a flowchart.
• Processing: A box represents arithmetic instructions. All
arithmetic processes such as adding, subtracting,
multiplication and division are indicated by action or
process symbol.
• Decision Diamond symbol represents a decision point.
Decision based operations such as yes/no question or
true/false are indicated by diamond in flowchart.
• Connectors: Whenever flowchart becomes complex or it
spreads over more than one page, it is useful to use
connectors to avoid any confusions. It is represented by a
circle.
• Flow lines: Flow lines indicate the exact sequence in which
instructions are executed. Arrows represent the direction of
flow of control and relationship among different symbols of
flowchart.
Advantages of Flowchart:
• Flowcharts are better way of communicating the
logic of system.
• Flowcharts act as a guide for blueprint during
program designed.
• Flowcharts helps in debugging process.
• With the help of flowcharts programs can be easily
analyzed.
• It provides better documentation.
• Flowcharts serve as a good proper documentation.
Disadvantages of Flowchart:
• It is difficult to draw flowchart for large and
complex programs.
• In this their is no standard to determine the amount
of detail.
• Difficult to reproduce the flowcharts.
• It is very difficult to modify the Flowchart.
