Flowchart, Pseudocode

Session No.: 4
Course Name: Programming for Problem Solving (PPS)
Course Code: E1UA102C
Instructor Name: Ravi Pratap Singh
Duration: 50
Date of Conduction of Class: -09-2025

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 Opening Question

How would you show your tea-making steps in a

picture or diagram so that even a small child can
understand it?

• Think about using shapes and arrows.

• Share your ideas.

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Last time:
We learned to write algorithms in Natural Language.
But natural language can sometimes be:
• Too long
• Confusing

Today:
We learn two better ways:
• Pseudocode – structured English
• Flowchart – diagram with symbols

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At the end of this session students will be able to

Represent algorithms using

pseudocode.

Represent
algorithms visually
using flow-charts.
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 1. Introduction to
Pseudocode
2. Examples in Pseudocode
Session 3. Introduction to Flowcharts
Outline
4. Flowchart Symbols &
Examples
5. Comparison of
Representations
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What is Pseudocode?
Definition: Pseudocode is a way of writing algorithms in structured
English.

• Uses special keywords.

• Easy for humans to understand.

• Easier to convert into real programs.

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Pseudocode is the intermediate state between an idea and
its implementation(code) in a high-level language.

It helps the programmer in planning the solution to the problem

as well as the reader in understanding the approach to the
problem.
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Basic Pseudocode Keywords

• START / END – beginning and ending.

• INPUT / READ – take values.

• OUTPUT / PRINT – display result.

• IF … ELSE … ENDIF – decisions.

• FOR / WHILE – repetition (loops).

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Example – Largest of Two Numbers (Pseudocode)
START
INPUT A, B
IF A > B THEN
PRINT A
ELSE
PRINT B
ENDIF
END

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Learning Activity 1 - Pseudocode Writing

Task: Write pseudocode for deciding:

“If a number is even, print EVEN. Otherwise, print
ODD.”

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Common Mistakes in
Pseudocode
• Skipping steps.

• Mixing plain English with pseudocode.

• Not using keywords properly.

• Forgetting to END loops or conditions.

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Best Practices in Pseudocode
• Write steps in clear order.

• Use proper keywords.

• Keep steps short.

• Always START and END properly.

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Introduction to Flowcharts
Definition: A diagram that shows an algorithm
using shapes and arrows.

• Makes it visual and easy to follow.

• Each shape has a specific meaning.

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Flowchart Symbols
• Oval – Start/End Start / End

Input /
• Parallelogram – Input/Output Output

• Rectangle – Process/Step Process / Step

• Diamond – Decision/Condition
If

• Arrow – Flow of steps

• Circle - Connector
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Example – Largest of Two Numbers
(Flowchart) Start

Input
A,B

If Yes
A> Print A
B

No

Print B End

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Learning Activity 2 – Flow-chart Drawing

Task: Draw a flow-chart for deciding:

“If a number is even, print EVEN. Otherwise, print
ODD.”

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Advantages of Flowcharts
• Easy to understand visually.

• Useful for explaining to non-programmers.

• Helps in debugging (finding mistakes).

• Good for documentation.

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Limitations of Flowcharts

• Can become large and messy for complex problems.

• Time-consuming to draw.

• Not as close to programming as pseudocode.

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Comparison of Representations

Representation Strength Limitation

Natural Language Easy to write Can be vague

Pseudocode Structured, close to code Needs keywords

Can be messy for big

Flowchart Visual, easy to follow
problems

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Summary of Key Concepts
• Pseudocode = structured English with keywords.

• Flowchart = diagram with symbols and arrows.

• Both are better than natural language because

they reduce confusion.

• They prepare us for actual programming in C.

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Attainment of LOs in alignment to
the learning activities: outcomes (1-2)

Outcome 1: Represent
algorithms using pseudocode.

Outcome 2: Represent
algorithms visually using
flow-charts.
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Discussion on the post session
activity

Attempt the Post-session activity on LMS, before

next session

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Information about the next
lesson
Algorithms to programs, source
code

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 Review and Reflection
from students

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