Writing an Algorithm

Recapitulation
• Remember that an algorithm is a formal sequence of instructions of
how to solve a problem.
• In essence it is the recipe for solving a problem
 Declaring variables
• In lesson 3 we learnt how to identify and name variables. Today we
will learn how to declare variables.
• When declaring a variable you give a suitable name and identify the
data type
 What is a datatype?
• This is simply saying what type of data will your variable (container)
hold.
• Just as how you have a bag (container) to hold books, a wallet
(container) to store money and cards, a bottle (container) to store
water.
• There are 4 basic data types in algorithm.
 Datatypes
Textual
• Character: This is used to hold a
single character for example a
letter or symbol.
• String: This is used to hold a
group of characters for example
the name of a person
Numerical
• Integer: This is used when the
desire is to store a whole
number for example number of
students in class.
• Real: This is used to hold a
decimal value for example price
of an item
Let’s declare some variables
• Write an algorithm that accepts the price and quantity of an item and
print the total price.

• Declare price as REAL

• Declare Quantity as INTEGER
• Declare Total Price as REAL
 Activity 1
Identify and declare the variables in the problem statement below:
• Write an algorithm that accepts 4 grades and print the average grade.
 Types of Algorithm
• An algorithm may be represented as a pseudocode, flowchart or
narrative.
 Pseudocode
• This is a detailed yet readable description of what a computer
program or algorithm must do, expressed in a formally-styled natural
language rather than in a programming language.
Let’s Write a pseudocode
1) All algorithms will begin with the keyword START and end with STOP.
• Therefore go ahead and write :
START

Leave space to enter the Recipe

STOP
Cont’d writing pseudocode
• Take all the instructions that are under the P column in your defining
diagram and insert between START and STOP.
START
PRINT “Enter the quantity”
INPUT quantity
PRINT “Enter the price”
INPUT price
Total_Price=Price*Quantity
PRINT “The total price is”, Total_Price
STOP
Cont’d writing pseudocode
• Declare the variables immediately under the keyword START
START
• Declare price as REAL
• Declare Quantity as INTEGER
• Declare Total Price as REAL

PRINT “Enter the quantity”

INPUT quantity
PRINT “Enter the price”
INPUT price
Total_Price=Price*Quantity
PRINT “The total price is”, Total_Price
STOP
Now move to the NEXT Page
 Activity 2
Write a pseudocode for the following problem statement:

• Write an algorithm that accepts 4 grades and print the average grade.