Flowcharts, pseudocode and structure diagrams

Overview

Inputs, processes and outputs, structure diagrams, pseudocode, the flowchart symbols for decisions, inputs and outputs, sub programs and loops, and nesting.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1. 1

   What are the inputs, processes and outputs of a problem?

   Model answer

   Inputs are the data a program is given to work on. Processes are the actions carried out on that data. Outputs are the results the program produces.

2. 2

   A program asks for the length and width of a rectangular room and displays its floor area. Identify the inputs, process and output.

   Model answer

   The inputs are the length and the width. The process multiplies the length by the width. The output is the floor area shown on screen.

3. 3

   What is a structure diagram?

   Model answer

   A structure diagram shows a problem broken down into smaller sub-sections. The whole problem sits at the top and each level below splits it into smaller parts.

4. 4

   What do the lines in a structure diagram show?

   Model answer

   Each line links a sub-section to the larger task it belongs to. Following a branch downwards shows how a task is broken into smaller tasks.

5. 5

   A structure diagram for a quiz program has "Quiz" at the top. What might the level below it show?

   Model answer

   The level below might show boxes for asking a question, checking the answer, updating the score and showing the result. Each box could be split further on a lower level.

6. 6

   Define the term pseudocode.

   Model answer

   Pseudocode is a way of writing an algorithm in structured, English-like statements. Pseudocode does not follow the strict syntax of any one programming language.

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