Algorithm Design And Problem-solving
Overview
Before a single line of code is written, a good programmer has a plan: they break the problem into parts, design each part as an algorithm, decide how to test it, and check it works by tracing it by hand. This topic is the toolkit every programmer uses to turn a vague problem into a working, reliable solution.
You will learn the program development life cycle, how to decompose a problem into sub-systems, the standard methods such as totalling, counting and finding the maximum and minimum, validation and verification checks, how to choose good test data, how to complete a trace table for a dry run, and how to find and fix errors in algorithms. Pseudocode here follows the Cambridge 0478 conventions. By the end you should be able to write, trace and correct algorithms with confidence.
Objectives
- 1 Understand the program development life cycle, limited to: analysis, design, coding and testing
- 2 (a) Understand that every computer system is made up of sub-systems, which are made up of further sub-systems (b) Understand how a problem can be decomposed into its component parts (c) Use different methods to design and construct a solution to a problem
- 3 Explain the purpose of a given algorithm
- 4 Understand standard methods of solution
- 5 (a) Understand the need for validation checks to be made on input data and the different types of validation check (b) Understand the need for verification checks to be made on input data and the different types of verification check
- 6 Suggest and apply suitable test data
- 7 Complete a trace table to document a dry-run of an algorithm
- 8 Identify errors in given algorithms and suggest ways of correcting these errors
- 9 Write and amend algorithms for given problems or scenarios, using: pseudocode, program code and flowcharts
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Lesson Evaluation
Congratulations on completing the lesson on Algorithm Design And Problem-solving. Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.
You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.
Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.
- Which is NOT one of the four stages of the program development life cycle? A. analysis B. design C. marketing D. testing Answer: C
- Splitting a system into smaller sub-systems is called: A. validation B. decomposition C. iteration D. verification Answer: B
- A check that an age entered is between 0 and 100 is which type of validation? A. presence check B. length check C. range check D. format check Answer: C
- For a value that must be between 10 and 100, which pair is boundary test data? A. 50 and 60 B. 9 and 10 C. "ten" and 5 D. 200 and 300 Answer: B
- Which tool is used to dry-run an algorithm by hand, recording each variable as it changes? A. structure diagram B. flowchart C. trace table D. firewall Answer: C
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