PSEUDOCODE: CHARACTERISTICS, STRUCTURE, APPLICATIONS - TECHNOLOGY - 2025

The pseudocode is a word that is handled in areas related to algorithms and computer programming. It is a method that enables any programmer to easily constitute the development of an algorithm.

As the name implies, it is a fake code or the representation of a code, which can be easy to understand even by someone who only has some notion of programming at the primary level.

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Algorithms are written many times with the support of a pseudocode, since this way they will be able to be deciphered by programmers, regardless of the experience or knowledge they have in programming.

Therefore, the pseudocode is nothing more than the implementation of an algorithm in the form of informative texts and annotations, written in simple language.

An algorithm is a procedure that is implemented to solve a problem according to the actions performed and the order in which these actions are established. Therefore, it is an organized logical sequence of actions or steps that must be taken to solve a particular problem.

Outline of a program

Pseudocode is an informal means of referring to programming, since it does not need to have the precise construction that programming languages ​​possess or deep expertise.

As it does not have a syntax like that of a programming language, it cannot be compiled or interpreted into an executable program by a computer. Therefore, it is used to create a simple outline of a program. Pseudocode condenses the overall flow of a program.

Computer analysts use pseudocode so that programmers can correctly interpret what is indicated in the design and can generate the code according to those requirements.

First, the description of the algorithm is synthesized. Then with the pseudocode the declarations are established, which will make the scheme produce the intended effect.

The pseudocode is thoroughly examined and checked by the programmers to confirm that it conforms to the design specifications.

Finally, the pseudocode is written back, this time using the commands and structure of a programming language.

characteristics

Tool to design algorithms

Pseudocode is a non-formal language that allows programmers to develop algorithms. It is a tool for designing algorithms that is based on texts.

The use of pseudocode is intended to make an algorithm effective. It is used to conceive an algorithm through a scheme, as a previous step to its coding in programming language.

It is written in any format

Pseudocode can be written in any desired format. For example, an academy format could be used, which is highly detailed and structured, involving a lot of math.

On the other hand, it can also be written as a simple summary of what the code is expected to do.

Step prior to actual programming

Pseudocode is not really a programming language. To write this kind of code, a simple syntax in Spanish is used, which will then be reformed to the correct syntax of a particular programming language.

This is done to recognize errors in the flow and to envision the data flow that the final program will use.

This greatly favors not wasting time during the actual programming, since the conceptual errors will already be corrected.

Rules

The pseudocode rules are reasonably straightforward. Statements are typically sequences, selections, or iterations. All statements that have a "dependency" must be indented.

For example, in C language sequence declarations are imperative. The selection is the "if-then-else" statement, and the iteration is satisfied with a set of statements, such as "while," "do," or "for." The statement "In case" is satisfied with the command "switch".

Structure of a pseudocode

- Declarations

They are the guidelines indicated to the computer in order to carry out a certain action. When writing pseudocode, these instructions are treated as declarations.

It is accepted that the order in which the statements are executed is from top to bottom. However, this changes when you use control structures and functions. Data declarations should not be included in the pseudocode.

Mathematical operations are an integral part of developing solutions. They allow to operate the values ​​that have been stored.

Keywords

They are the words that a program protects, because they have an exclusive meaning. Keywords can be commands or parameters, but they cannot be used as variable names.

Each programming language has its own reserved words. In pseudocode they are used to indicate common input-output and processing operations. They are written with the first letter capitalized.

Keywords such as Enter, Print, Multiply, Add, Set, Increment, etc. are used.

- Conditionals

During the development of an algorithm you need to evaluate expressions and execute instructions depending on whether the expression was valued as true or false. Some common conditionals used are:

Yes - Yes no

This conditional is used to execute certain statements when a certain condition is met. This also applies for multiple conditions and for different variables.

A "Yes" conditional with an "If not" section allows other statements to be executed when the "Yes" condition is not met.

In case

The “In Case” structure is used if you want to compare a single variable with different conditions. Conditions are usually numbers or characters.

- Iterations

Iterate is to repeat a set of instructions to generate a sequence of results. Repetitions are done in order to achieve a certain goal.

For

The "To" iteration takes a group of values ​​and executes the code within the iteration for each value.

While

The "While" iteration is a way of repeating a block of code as long as a predefined condition remains true.

Unlike the "To" loop, the "While" iteration is evaluated based on whether the condition remains true.

To avoid a scenario where the iteration runs infinitely, an operation is added to handle the conditional value within each iteration. This can be through an increase, decrease, etc.

- Functions

To solve certain advanced tasks it is required to break them down into different statement blocks located elsewhere. This is especially true when the statements in question have a particular purpose.

To reuse this code, the functions are created. Thus, these functions can be called every time they need to be executed.

How to make a pseudocode?

The sequence of tasks to be performed must be organized first, so that the pseudocode can be created based on this sequence.

It begins with a statement that establishes the main objective or goal. For example: This program will allow the user to check if the number he enters is prime or not.

Bleeding

Careful indentation will encourage desirable pseudocode. The way the "If-If", "To", and "While" loops are indented in a program will cause the statements to be indented in the same way.

This will help to better understand the decision control and the execution mechanism. It will also greatly improve readability.

Simple nomenclature

Everything that is going to be placed as pseudocode must be done in a real language. You should not create pseudocode that is indeterminate.

The nomenclature used must follow appropriate conventions. If a programmer reads a pseudocode, she will be guided by what she observes, so the nomenclature must be specific and natural.

The appropriate font must be used, uppercase for constants and lowercase for variables.

Use standard structures

It is important to use standard programming structures, such as "if-then", "for", "while", "case", as used in programming languages.

All pseudo-code structures should be checked for completeness, ending, and clear to understand.

Simple to understand

Don't write the pseudocode in a completely programmatic way. It needs to be simple to understand even for someone who doesn't know about the subject or a client. Therefore, not too many technical terms should be incorporated.

Pseudocode is not written with technical rules. Its function is simply to convey meaning and a data stream, which is human-readable.

Applications

Design error detection

As the pseudo-code is readable, it can be examined together by analysts and programmers to guarantee that the actual coding is in accordance with the proposed specifications.

Detecting errors when parsing pseudocode is less expensive than detecting them in subsequent cycles.

The pseudocode can be used simultaneously with different software engineering techniques.

Simplify any programming language

Almost any work done by a programming language can be clarified with the use of pseudocode.

It works just as well for HTML and JavaScript for web design, as well as for a bank procedure in COBOL or a game application in Java.

Code prototype

A prototype is the first copy of a product, which is introduced with the intention of showing an outline of the finished product and for learning purposes.

They make it easy to be enlightened without having to fully implement a solution When developing user interfaces for applications, several prototypes are made before the final interface is produced.

Some examples of prototypes are electrical circuits, graphic designs, and mock-ups.

The prototype is also used when writing technical code. Writing code for large projects all at once can waste time. This includes everything from inadequate algorithms to ambiguous program flows. To avoid this, pseudocode is used.

Program documentation

It serves as a kind of documentation. For this reason, when a pseudo-code is written, the program made by a programmer can be interpreted without difficulty.

In the industry it is essential to have documentation. In this sense, the pseudocode turns out to be very valuable.

There are some alternatives to pseudocode, such as flowcharts, Drakon diagrams, and Unified Modeling Language (UML) diagrams. These will serve the same purpose as well, but require comparatively more resources.

Advantage

Simple to understand

The pseudocode is understood by programmers of any type of programming language, improving the readability of any proposal. Therefore, it is one of the best approaches to begin the implementation of an algorithm.

Although it cannot be compiled into a workable program, it is much easier to understand. For example, in Java code: if (h> 20) {i -;}, and in pseudocode: If h is greater than 20, Subtract h by 1.

Lets focus on the problem

The goal of pseudocode is to express what each instruction in a program should do, thus facilitating the code-building cycle.

When writing pseudo-code, the analyst really focuses on the problem to be solved. You will be able to work on the flow of the program and the logic as such, without having to consider how the code will run.

It intervenes as a viaduct between a program and its algorithm. It allows the programmer to focus only on the portion of the algorithm that is used to program the code.

Finish projects faster

Annotating the pseudo-code prior to using a programming language allows projects to be finalized earlier. It can be taken as if it were a plan, since it will be known in advance where everything should be placed and how it will work together.

Thus, when you get to the actual construction phase, you won't have so much to think about, because you will have already thought about what to do.

Logic to share

One of the most nifty advantages is being able to share the pseudocode with other programmers. This specific logic can be used in several projects, even if they are in different programming languages.

Since the pseudocode does not obey any programming language, any programmer can take that written logic and convert it to the language of their choice. This allows it to be reused to improve the structure of any program that is being created.

Disadvantages

It is not a programming language

The pseudo-code cannot be compiled or executed, and it does not have an actual formation of a syntax with rules. It is simply an important step in the production of the final programming code.

It is not a visual representation

Pseudocode does not provide a visual representation of programming logic, as flowcharts do.

While the pseudocode is very easy to read, it does not give the programmer a complete map, the way a flowchart does. It does not include the full logic of the proposed code.

Lack of standards

There are no recognized standards for writing the pseudocode. Programmers can use their own pseudocode writing styles.

Being a very basic code in nature, pseudocode can cause non-programmers to misinterpret the complexity of a computer project.

Pseudocode is unstructured by nature, so the reader may not be able to see the sequential logic at some step.

Examples

Below are four examples of algorithms made with pseudocode regarding student grades.

Student approval

Average of ten grades

Califications average

Number of approved and failed

References

1. Geeks for Geeks (2019). How to write a Pseudo Code? Taken from: geeksforgeeks.org.
2. University of North Florida (2019). Pseudocode Examples. Taken from: unf.edu.
3. The Economic Times (2019). Definition of 'Pseudocode'. Taken from: economictimes.indiatimes.com.
4. Ngunyi Macharia (2018). How to write Pseudocode: A beginner's guide. Noteworthy. Taken from: blog.usejournal.com.
5. Margaret Rouse (2019). Pseudocode. Techtarget. Taken from: whatis.techtarget.com.
6. Linda Pogue (2019). What Are the Advantages & Limitations of Pseudocode? Techwalla. Taken from: techwalla.com
7. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (2019). Pseudocode. Taken from: en.wikipedia.org.