This presentation is for understanding problem solving process.

1. Problem Solving Process
By: Satveer Kaur, Assistant Professor, Khalsa College, Patiala.
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2. Introduction to Problem Solving
 Is a process of transforming the description of a problem into the solution by using
our knowledge of the problem domain and selecting and using appropriate
problem-solving Strategies, Techniques and Tools.
 To find a solution for a problem in programming, we need to develop programs.
 To develop a program, whether it is small or complex, a special procedure called
Program Development Life Cycle (PDLC) is required.
 A computer program is a set of instructions which is used to solve a problem.
By: Satveer Kaur, Assistant Professor, Khalsa College, Patiala.
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3. Problem Solving Process
 To solve any problem in an efficient way, a programmer follows the following steps:
 Problem definition and analysis
 Program design
 Coding
 Compilation
 Debugging and testing
 Documentation
 Implementation and maintenance
By: Satveer Kaur, Assistant Professor, Khalsa College, Patiala.
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4. Problem definition and analysis
 To identify and define the problem by studying it thoroughly.
 State the problem clearly and unambiguously (Doubtless) to understand exactly:
 What the problem is?
 What is needed to solve it?
 What the solution should provide?
 If there are constraints and special condition?
 The nature of the problem is fully understood.
 Analyse using the basic steps i.e. input, processing and output.
 Input: the information fed into computer to solve the problem.
 Processing: the operation to convert input to output.
 Output: the result obtained after solving problem.
 Special constraints or conditions (if any).
 Formulas and equations to be used.
By: Satveer Kaur, Assistant Professor, Khalsa College, Patiala.
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5. Program design
 A programmer must have a proper understanding of the behaviour of the problem.
 To design a program, different techniques are available:
 Algorithm: a finite set of steps that specify a sequence of operations to be carried out in
order to solve a specific problem.
 Flow chart: a graph used to depict or show a step by step solution by use of symbols.
 Pseudocode: a semi-formal English-like language with limited vocabulary, used to design
and describe algorithms.
By: Satveer Kaur, Assistant Professor, Khalsa College, Patiala.
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6. Coding
 After the creation of algorithms, flow charts and pseudocodes, the design must be
converted into a form used by the computer.
 A programmer translates the design into a computer program using a
programming language such as C or any other language.
 A program is written i.e. source code is ready to enter into a computer and store it
in a disk with an extension “.c”.
By: Satveer Kaur, Assistant Professor, Khalsa College, Patiala.
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7. Compilation
 To translate the program into machine language using a Compiler.
 Compiler takes and process program.
 Compiler accepts source code and convert it into an object code.
 If some errors exist in the source code, then compiler prints the appropriate
messages for particular error.
By: Satveer Kaur, Assistant Professor, Khalsa College, Patiala.
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8. Debugging and testing
 A bug is an error in a program.
 Process of eliminating bugs.
 Testing is done to make sure that the program is correct.
 The program performs its intended task?
 Program is executed with all the possible set of inputs whose output is already
known.
By: Satveer Kaur, Assistant Professor, Khalsa College, Patiala.
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9. Documentation
 Is written text or illustration that accompanies computer program or is embedded
in the source code.
 Explains how the software operates or how to use it.
 Guidelines for creating the documentation:
 should be from the point of view of the reader.
 should be unambiguous.
 should be no repetition.
 should meet Industry standards.
 should always be updated.
By: Satveer Kaur, Assistant Professor, Khalsa College, Patiala.
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10. Implementation and Maintenance
 Program is installed at the user’s site.
 If user faces some problems or errors in the program, the programmer have to
maintain and do the necessary changes to remove these errors.
 Even after completion, maintenance is regular process, so that the program must
be fulfilling all its objectives efficiently.
By: Satveer Kaur, Assistant Professor, Khalsa College, Patiala.
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11. Thanks !!!!!
By: Satveer Kaur, Assistant Professor, Khalsa College, Patiala.
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