Unit 1: Fundamentals of Software Development

Algorithm

A set of ordered and finite steps to solve a given problem

Pseudocode

A notation using structured English to describe an algorithm's logic

Flowchart

A diagrammatic representation of an algorithm using standard symbols

Flowchart Rules

Standard principles for drawing flowcharts

Control Structures

The fundamental building blocks that determine the order of statement execution

Sequential Control

The default structure where statements are executed one after another in order

Selection Control

A structure that allows the program to make decisions and choose between different paths

Repetition Control

A structure that enables the repeated execution of a block of statements

Pre-test Loop

A loop structure where the condition is checked before the loop body is executed

Post-test Loop

A loop structure where the loop body is executed before the condition is checked

Problem-Solving Process

A formal methodology for moving from a problem definition to a working program

Analysis Phase

The first phase of problem-solving that involves understanding and defining the problem

General Solution Phase

The phase where an algorithm is developed to solve the problem

Verification Phase

The phase of manually checking the algorithm to ensure it is correct

Implementation Phase

The phase of translating the algorithm into a programming language

Compilation

The process of translating an algorithm (or source code) into a programming language

"Think First

Code Later"