Representing Algorithms with Flowcharts and IB Pseudocode

Representing Algorithms with Flowcharts and IB Pseudocode

An algorithm is a finite, ordered set of unambiguous steps that solves a problem or completes a task. Before an algorithm is written in a real programming language, it is usually planned in a language-independent form so that its logic can be checked. The two standard planning tools in the IB course are flowcharts and pseudocode.

Flowcharts

A flowchart is a diagram that shows the flow of control through an algorithm using standard shapes connected by arrows. The main symbols are:

  • Terminator (rounded rectangle or oval): marks the start and end of the algorithm.
  • Process (rectangle): an action or calculation, such as total = total + price.
  • Input/Output (parallelogram): reading data in or displaying data out.
  • Decision (diamond): a question with a true/false or yes/no answer that splits the fl