Programming

Programming is required to solve a specific problem. It is a set of instructions written in a particular language, to solve a particular problem. There are some steps needed to write a program:
1) Define the problem eg To find out the average of three numbers
2) Determine input & output variables:
> Input variables
1. First Number
2. Second Number
3. Third Number (Spaces are not allowed in variable names)
>Output Variable
* Average
3) Create some cases
Variable Case1 Case2 Case3
First number 4 4.94 0
Second Number 9 6.03 0
Third Number 5 10.59 0
Average 6 0

4) Write high-level algorithm
> Algorithm: is the step by step procedure to solve the problem
Steps:
A. Take three inputs/ Assign three inputs to the three variables
B. Calculate the average of 3 numbers
C. Display the output/ value of the average

5) Refine the algorithm
4b. * Total three numbers
* Divide the total by 3
6) Develop flowchart
*Flowchart: It is the graphical representation of the steps to solve the problem
*Functions: 1) Are easier to understand at a glance than a narrative description
2) Assist in reviewing and debugging of a program
3) Provide effective program documentation and
4) Help in the discussion of a solution with others or in explaining the program to others
*Symbols used in FC:
1) Oval: Start or end. 2) Parallelogram: Input & Output 3) Rectangle: Process/Arithmetic operations
4) Diamond: Decision Making 5) Arrow: Flow direction 6) Circle: Continuation of the FC

Example: (use symbols) start>input three numbers>calculate the average>output the average> Stop

7) Write the program
INPUT:
First Number = 1
Second Number = 9
Third Number = 5
Processing:
Total = First Number + Second Number + Third Number
Average = Total/3

Output:
Print Average

8) Test the program
> Execute the program: If the program does not provide the expected output the program requires debugging.

Operators: 1.Mathematical (-,+,*,/,")
2. Relational (>,<,=)