SequencingRepresenting sequencing

There are two ways of representing algorithms:

• pseudocode
• a flow diagram (also known as a flowchart)

Representing sequencing in pseudocode

Writing in pseudocode is rather like writing in a programming language. Each step of the algorithm is written on a line of its own, in sequence.

Consider this simple algorithm for calculating how old a dog is in dog years. It contains three steps, all in sequence:

• ask how old the dog is in human years
• multiply human years by seven to find out how old the dog is in dog years
• print the answer on the screen

In pseudocode, the algorithm would look like this:

OUTPUT 'How old is your dog?'
INPUT user inputs their dog's age in human years
STORE the user's input in the human_years variable
dog_years = human_years * 7
OUTPUT 'In dog years, your dog is aged' + dog_years

Representing sequencing in a flow diagram