Algorithms, Pseudocode, Literal strings, Output
Algorithm:
 Definition: a set of sequential instructions that are followed to solve a problem.
 An algorithm that WORKS takes a finite number of steps.
Pseudocode:
 Definition: non code-specific set of instructions to carry out the algorithm
 Two common forms are outline form and flowchart form
Outline form is like your organization for a research paper:
I.
Main idea or action
A. Sub idea or action
B. Another sub idea or action
i. Details of sub idea B.
ii. Details of sub idea B
II
Second main idea or action
Etc.
Flow Chart form is shown on the handout; it uses specific shapes for different
Tasks.
Literal strings:
 strings surrounded by double quotes
 strings that do not change at any time in the program (like a constant data type)
 they are not used like variables (we will have string variables later in the year)
 can contain “white space” (blank spaces, tabs, line returns)
Output:
 result of your program
 the words/values will appear on the DOS window on your monitor until we learn
how to output to files
 Always copy and paste your final output at the end of your program in comments.
I will show you how to do this in class.