Programming Logic and Techniques

In computer programming we write a set of instructions for the computer to perform a specific action. The actions performed are the building blocks of the solution to a problem.

Thus a computer program can be defined as:

“A set of instructions to achieve the solution to a problem, which is written in a specific programming language”

PLT helps us to segregate these sets of instructions with the help of algorithms. These can further be represented using flowcharts. Algorithms and flowcharts are important for problem solving because these do not deal with the programming language, syntactical details. These are only concerned with the real problem at crude level. We build up the solution using these algorithms, which can then be converted into programs using any programming language or platform (whichever is most relevant).

Algorithms forms the most effective part of programming because they lead to easy or complex solutions as designed. For example: Google search engine uses different algorithms for generating the relevant result for searches, Images are processed using another set of algorithms. Thus different fields of study use different sets of algorithms.

Algorithms

An algorithm is a combination of unambiguous, finite steps used to find the solution to a problem. Formally, an algorithm is written as a pseudocode. A pseudocode uses English like statements to define the principles of an algorithm. An algorithm is usually expressed in pseudocode which is then converted into computer programs for effective solution to a problem.

In mathematics to solve a complex equation, we need to break it down into parts to arrive at the final solution. For example, 23*7/3+6

23*7=161

161/3=47

47+6=53

Similarly, every problem can be broken down into simple steps to find the solution. Algorithms help to simplify problem solving.

Let us consider a simple algorithm to print a message on the screen.

BEGIN

PRINT:”HELLO WORLD”;

END

Flowchart

A flowchart is the diagrammatic representation of algorithm. Steps that we perform to arrive at the final solution of the problem, can be represented in the diagrammatic format for easy understanding.

Some of the commonly used symbols in flow chart include

Continuing with the previous example of algorithm to display a message on screen, the steps written in pseudo code can be represented in the form of a flowchart.