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How Computers Solve

How People Solve Problems Problem Solving


Problems
• A Problem exists when what we have • Computers also use Algorithms to solve • Problem Solving is the ability to
(Data) is not the same as what we want problems, and change data into understand what you have, what you want,
(information) information and creating a set of instructions to
• People create a solution (called an • Computers can only perform one simple change what you have into what you want
Algorithm) which manipulates Data into step at a time • Good Problem Solving Skills are based on
Information • Complex “Human” Algorithms must be knowledge, experience and logic
• People do this quickly and often in a broken down into simple step-by-step • Good Programmers NEVER make
complex way instructions BEFORE they can be assumptions
translated into computer code
Introduction to Problem Solving Introduction to Problem Solving Introduction to Problem Solving
and Algorithms and Algorithms and Algorithms

Problem Solving Steps Flowcharts and Pseudo Code Flowcharts


1. Identify the Problem • A “Standard” way of describing an • A Flowchart is a Visual Representation of
2. Understand and Analyze the Problem algorithm must exist if we expect our an algorithm
3. Identify Alternatives to Solve the Problem solution to be understood by others easily • A Flowchart uses easy-to-understand
4. Choose the Best Alternative to Solve the • There are two standards in programming: symbols to represent actions on data and
Problem – FLOWCHARTS the flow of data
5. Implement the Chosen Alternative
– PSEUDOCODE • Flowcharts aid in breaking down a
problem into simple steps
6. Evaluate the Solution

Introduction to Problem Solving Introduction to Problem Solving Introduction to Problem Solving


and Algorithms and Algorithms and Algorithms

Introduction to Problem Solving and Algorithms


The Three Computer
Pseudo Code Sequence
Programming Constructs
• “Pseudo” means “pretend” or “false” • Any problem, regardless of how complex, • Sequence is the most basic of the
• Pseudo Code is pretend or false computer can be broken down into three basic constructs
code; generic English-like terms that are CONSTRUCTS • It is simply performing one step after
somewhat like computer code – SEQUENCE another
• Pseudo Code is not as standardized as – SELECTION • Each step is followed in a specific
flowcharts, and does not facilitate the – ITERATION sequence, hence the name
breaking down of problems as well as a • Sequence can be thought of as “do this,
flowchart does then do this, then do this”
Introduction to Problem Solving Introduction to Problem Solving Introduction to Problem Solving
and Algorithms and Algorithms and Algorithms

Selection Iteration Visualizing The Constructs


• Selection is the decision-making construct • Iteration comes from the word “reiterate”, • By using Flowchart symbols, we can
• It is used to make yes/no or true/false which means to repeat visualize the three basic computer
decisions logically • Iteration is a looping construct constructs
• Selection can be thought of as “if • Iteration is a combination of decision and • Every algorithm ever created is made up
something is true take this action, sequence and can repeat steps of only these three constructs
otherwise take that action” • Iteration can be thought of as “while
something is true, do this, otherwise stop”

Introduction to Problem Solving Introduction to Problem Solving Introduction to Problem Solving


and Algorithms and Algorithms and Algorithms

Introduction to Problem Solving and Algorithms


Basic Flowchart Symbols The Basic Flowchart Symbols The Basic Flowchart Symbols
• The terminator shows where a specific • Input/Output gets data or displays
piece of an algorithm beings and ends information to the user of the algorithm
Terminator Process Input/Output
• A process is a basic action or actions on • A connector connects two or more data
data flows into one
• A decision is a logical test with two • A data flow shows the direction of data’s
Decision
possible data paths resulting from one movement through the algorithm
Connector Data Flow

Introduction to Problem Solving Introduction to Problem Solving Introduction to Problem Solving


and Algorithms and Algorithms and Algorithms

Sequence Selection Iteration

F T

F T

Introduction to Problem Solving Introduction to Problem Solving Introduction to Problem Solving


and Algorithms and Algorithms and Algorithms

Introduction to Problem Solving and Algorithms

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