Algorithm, Flowchart, Pseudo-code

1. 1
1
Programming, Computation, Simulation
Applications in Math & Physics
The Basics
Algorithm, Pseudo Code, Flowchart
Syeilendra Pramuditya
Department of Physics
Institut Teknologi Bandung

2. 2
Algorithm
 Logical steps to solve a problem, that’s it!
 A process or set of rules to be followed in
calculations or other problem-solving
operations, especially by a computer.
 A finite sequence of well-defined,
computer-implementable instructions,
typically to solve a class of specific
problems or to perform a computation.

3. 3
Algorithm
 Sample problem
 Find the largest number in a list of numbers of
random order
 39, 7, 68, 55, 3
 Algorithm
 Assume the first number in the set is the largest
number in the set.
 For each remaining number in the set: if this number is
larger than the current largest number, consider this
number to be the largest number in the set.
 When there are no numbers left in the set to iterate
over, consider the current largest number to be the
largest number of the set.

4. 4
Flowchart

5. 5
Flowchart

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Pseudo Code
 A bridge between algorithm and actual coding
Input: A list of numbers a[N]
largest = a[0]
for each item in a, do
if item > largest, then largest = item
Output: The largest number in the list a[N]

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General Steps in Programming in Physics
 Find a (physical) problem!
 Describe the problem with mathematical
modeling (get the equations)
 Make an algorithm to solve the problem
 Make a flowchart
 Make a pseudo code
 Develop the computer program