Programs are created using common building blocks, known as programming constructs. These programming constructs form the basis for all programs and are also used in algorithms.
sequenceIn computer programming, this is a set of instructions that follow on one from another. is the most common programming construct. In programming, statementThe smallest element of a programming language which expresses an action to be carried out. are executionThe process of a program being run on a computer. one after another. Sequence is the order in which the statements are executed.
The sequence of a program is extremely important. Carrying out instructionA single action that can be performed by a computer processor. in the wrong order leads to a program performing incorrectly.
An explanation of sequencing, as used in algorithms and programming
This algorithmA sequence of logical instructions for carrying out a task. In computing, algorithms are needed to design computer programs. is designed to find the average of two whole numbers but the instructions are in the wrong sequence:
Here it is shown using pseudocode Also written as pseudo-code. A method of writing up a set of instructions for a computer program using plain English. This is a good way of planning a program before coding.:
num1 is integer num2 is integer average is real average = (num1 + num2)/2 input “Enter first number”, num1 input “Enter second number”, num2 output “The average is "&average
Running this program would result in an error because it tries to calculate the average before it knows the values of the numbers.
Here is the corrected algorithm:
This version has the instructions in the correct sequence:
num1 is integer num2 is integer average is real input “Enter first number”, num1 input “Enter second number”, num2 average = (num1 + num2)/2 output “The average is "&average
Having instructions in the wrong order is one of the simplest, yet most common, programming errors. It occurs no matter which programming language is used.