Pseudocode and Flowcharts
Software development is complex and usually involves many parties working together. Therefore, planning out a project before beginning to program is essential for success.
In this article, we will take a real-world problem and attempt to design an algorithm step by step to best solve it using pseudocode and flowcharts.
Password validator
The problem.
Passwords are everywhere, and we create them all the time to access a great array of services. However, it can sometimes be helpful to guide users to make stronger passwords. This can be done by imposing some restrictions on what passwords are considered valid.
If we want to set a couple of restrictions, such as that the password must be at least 8 characters and contain a number, then the following passwords would be valid:
- supers3cure
- meandmy2dogs
But these would not:
We have all seen plenty of passwords like these, so let’s come up with a simple algorithm to validate passwords like this!
The solution
First, let’s take this problem and brainstorm some steps to validate passwords that are at least 8 characters long and also contain a number:
Input the password that we plan to validate.
To keep track of the password length, establish a pass_length variable and set it to 0 .
To keep track of whether the password contains a number, establish a contains_number variable and initially set it to False .
Has the entire password been searched?
If not, continue to step 5.
If so, skip to step 8.
Iterate, or move to, to the next character in password .
Increase the value of pass_length by 1 .
Is the current character a number?
If not, go straight back to step 4 and continue to iterate over the entire password .
If so, set the contains_number variable to True and then go back to step 4.
Is the pass_length greater than 8 and is contain_number equal to True ?
If not, then the password is invalid.
If so, then the password is valid!
Doodling a flowchart
Now that we have a framework for the task that needs to be completed, we can get to formalizing the solution. As a picture is worth a thousand words, a nice doodle can be a helpful way to communicate a complex idea — and in software development, the professional form of doodling is the flowchart !
Common flowchart symbols
Flowcharts have some standard symbols that allow them to be read and understood by a wider group of people. These are some of the most commonly-used symbols:
The terminal is an oval that indicates the beginning and end of a program. It usually contains the words Start or End .
The flowline is a line from one symbol pointing towards another to show the process’s order of operation. This displays the flow of execution in a program.
Input/Output
Input/output is represented by a rhomboid and indicates the input or output of data. This is similar to setting a value to a variable.
A process, represented by a rectangle, is an operation that manipulates data. Think of this as changing the value of a number-based variable using an operator such as + .
Decisions are represented by a rhombus and show a conditional operation that will determine which path a program should take. This is similar to conditional statements which control the flow of execution in a program.
Converting steps into symbols
Ok! Now that we have all of the steps for the algorithm figured out, let’s pair them with the relevant flowchart symbol:
INPUT/OUTPUT : Input the password that we plan to validate.
PROCESS : To keep track of the password length, establish a pass_length variable and initially set it to 0 .
PROCESS : To keep track of whether the password contains a number, establish a contains_number variable and initially set it to False .
DECISION : Has the entire password been searched?
FLOWLINE : If not, continue to step 5.
FLOWLINE : If so, skip to step 8.
PROCESS : Iterate to the next character in password .
PROCESS : Increment pass_length .
DECISION : Is the current character a number?
FLOWLINE : If not, go straight back to step 4 and continue to iterate over the entire password .
PROCESS/FLOWLINE : If so, set the contains_number variable to True and then go back to step 4.
DECISION : Is the pass_length greater than 8 and is contain_number equal to True ?
TERMINAL : If not, then the password is invalid.
TERMINAL : If so, then the password is valid!
Drawing the flowchart
Whew. Now that every step is associated with a symbol, we can connect them all together to put the flow into the chart!
Luckily, most steps just happen one after another, so the final product is relatively straightforward. However, do note how the iteration of the password requires the flowlines to physically loop in the flowchart:
Progressing with pseudocode
Now that we have the entire algorithm thought out and in visual form, we can take steps to turn it into code. Some people may be able to jump right into a development environment and start hacking away, but let’s take it slow and create some pseudocode first.
- Pseudocode is a description of an algorithm using everyday wording, but molded to appear similar to a simplified programming language.
To create pseudocode from what we have so far we can use the flowchart’s flowlines to guide the structure of our code as we simplify the steps we outlined earlier:
The final code
Now the closing moments! With pseudocode in hand, the algorithm can be programmed in any language. Here it is in Python :
Even if this code seems foreign, the power of flowcharts and pseudocode shines through. It allows people, regardless of technical expertise, to communicate algorithms and other technical solutions. These ideas can then be implemented in whatever technologies work best, and the notes can be kept around in case the algorithm needs to be reimplemented in different technologies in the future.
Wrapping up
Awesome job on making it to the end of this article! While this was mainly a practical article, here is what we learned:
- In code-based flowcharts, common ANSI shapes are ovals for terminals, arrows for flowlines, rhomboids for inputs and outputs, rhombuses for decisions, and rectangles for processes.
The Codecademy Team, composed of experienced educators and tech experts, is dedicated to making tech skills accessible to all. We empower learners worldwide with expert-reviewed content that develops and enhances the technical skills needed to advance and succeed in their careers.
Related articles
Password attacks, setting up postman, learn more on codecademy, introduction to it, code foundations.
3.3 Pseudocode and Flowcharts
- The usual Fortran symobols are used for arithmetic operations (+, -, *, / , **).
- Symbolic names are used to indicate the quantities being processed.
- Certain Fortran keywords can be used, such as PRINT, WRITE, READ, etc.
- Indentation should be used to indicate branches and loops of instruction.
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COMMENTS
1. Module 3-3 Assignment: Pseudocode and Flowcharts Kyle Reddoch Problem: A company wants a program that will calculate the weekly paycheck for an employee based on how many hours they worked. For this company, an employee earns $20 an hour for the first 40 hours that they work. The employee earns overtime, $30 an hour, for each hour they work above 40 hours.
3-3 Assignment: Introduction to Psedocode and Flowcharts IT-140 Module Three Assignment Michelle Ledesma Southern New Hampshire University, Computer Science Department
Andre Josey IT- Professor Rubey July 20, 2024 Module 3 Assignment: Psuedocode and Flowcharts Scenario: A company wants a program that will calculate the weekly paycheck for an employee based on how many hours they worked. For this company, an employee earns $20 an hour for the first 40 hours that they work.
Explain the role of each. 1.3: Activity 3 - Using pseudo-codes and flowcharts to represent algorithms is shared under a license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts. The student will learn how to design an algorithm using either a pseudo code or flowchart. Pseudo code is a mixture of English like statements, some mathematical ...
3-3 assignment introduction to psudocode and flowcharts Your solution's ready to go! Enhanced with AI, our expert help has broken down your problem into an easy-to-learn solution you can count on.
With pseudocode in hand, the algorithm can be programmed in any language. Here it is in Python: # 1. Input the `password` that we plan to validate. password = "c0decademy". # 2. To keep track of the password length, establish a `pass_length` variable and initially set it to `0`. pass_length = 0.
Rules for Pseudo code: Capitalize initial keyword. There are just a few keywords we will use: READ, WRITE, IF, ELSE, ENDIF, WHILE, ENDWHILE, REPEAT, UNTIL. Rules for Pseudo code: Indent to show hierarchy. We will use a particular indentation pattern in each of the design structures: SEQUENCE: keep statements that are "stacked" in sequence all ...
FOR3_1.html. « previous. next». 3.3 Pseudocode and Flowcharts. Good, logical programming is developed through good pre-code planning and organization. This is assisted by the use of pseudocode and program flowcharts. Flowcharts are written with program flow from the top of a page to the bottom. Each command is placed in a box of the ...
3-3 Assignment: Introduction to Pseudocode and Flowcharts. In this assignment, I had to create a flow chart and pseudocode to create a code that solved the. problem a company was having to calculate their base pay and overtime pay. The facts:
3-3 Assignment. Uploaded by SargentScorpion13395. Ashley Lankford Mar. 19 th , 2023 SNHU IT140 Introduction to Pseudocode and Flowcharts For this assignment, you must create pseudocode and a flowchart to design a program that will calculate an employee's weekly paycheck. Write pseudocode to design a programming solution by outlining a series of ...
1 IT 140: 3-3 Assignment: Introduction to Pseudocode and Flowcharts Jamika Cook Southern New Hampshire University IT 140: Introduction to Scripting Professor Decker Nov 13, 2022. 2 3-3 Assignment: Introduction to Pseudocode and Flowcharts Start # Set variables for pay rate and total pay Set pay equal to or less than 40 hours per week $20 Set ...
3-3 Assignment Introduction to Pseudocode and Flowcharts; IT 140 Project 1; 4.15 Password Modifier; Related Studylists It 140 Script notes IT. Preview text. Module 3 Assignment: Psuedocode and Flowcharts. Stephanie McClurkin IT-140: Introduction to Scripting Professor Douglas Mujeye September 18th, 2022.
3-3 Assignment Introduction to Pseudocode and Flowcharts; IT 140 Project 1; 4.15 Password Modifier; IT140 Module 2 Main Assignment- Name Age UPL; Introduction to Scripting IT 140 Module Two Assignment; Pycharm - Code for 2-3 For introduction to Scripting IT140.
Unformatted Attachment Preview. Tavone Carter November 13, 2020 IT-140-T2155 Introduction to Scripting 20EW2 Clyde Gander 3-3 Assignment: Introduction to Pseudocode and Flowcharts Pseudocode: INPUT number_of_hours: DECLARE weekly_pay, overtime_hours, overtime_pay; IF number_of_hours ... Purchase document to see full attachment.
Computer Science. Computer Science questions and answers. 3-3 Assignment: Introduction to Pseudocode and Flowcharts.
This is 3-3 Assignment: Introduction to Pseudocode and Flowcharts nicholas mcdavid jessica schwartz it 140 module three assignment hourly wages prompt problem: