In numerical computation, pseudocode often consists of mathematical notation, typically from set and matrix theory, mixed with the control structures of a conventional programming language, and perhaps also natural language descriptions. See also: Category:Articles with example pseudocode Mathematical style pseudocode Function calls and blocks of code, such as code contained within a loop, are often replaced by a one-line natural language sentence.ĭepending on the writer, pseudocode may therefore vary widely in style, from a near-exact imitation of a real programming language at one extreme, to a description approaching formatted prose at the other.Īn example of pseudocode (for the mathematical game fizz buzz) Variable declarations are typically omitted. Some syntax sources include Fortran, Pascal, BASIC, C, C++, Java, Lisp, and ALGOL. Some writers borrow style and syntax from control structures from some conventional programming language, although this is discouraged. Pseudocode generally does not actually obey the syntax rules of any particular language there is no systematic standard form. Programmers may also start a project by sketching out the code in pseudocode on paper before writing it in its actual language, as a top-down structuring approach, with a process of steps to be followed as a refinement. The level of detail of the pseudocode may in some cases approach that of formalized general-purpose languages.Ī programmer who needs to implement a specific algorithm, especially an unfamiliar one, will often start with a pseudocode description, and then "translate" that description into the target programming language and modify it to interact correctly with the rest of the program. In textbooks, there is usually an accompanying introduction explaining the particular conventions in use. Textbooks and scientific publications related to computer science and numerical computation often use pseudocode in description of algorithms, so that all programmers can understand them, even if they do not all know the same programming languages. Languages such as HAGGIS bridge the gap between pseudocode and code written in programming languages. Flowcharts, drakon-charts and Unified Modelling Language (UML) charts can be thought of as a graphical alternative to pseudocode, but need more space on paper. Pseudocode resembles skeleton programs, which can be compiled without errors. No broad standard for pseudocode syntax exists, as a program in pseudocode is not an executable program however, certain limited standards exist (such as for academic assessment). It is commonly used in textbooks and scientific publications to document algorithms and in planning of software and other algorithms. The purpose of using pseudocode is that it is easier for people to understand than conventional programming language code, and that it is an efficient and environment-independent description of the key principles of an algorithm. The programming language is augmented with natural language description details, where convenient, or with compact mathematical notation. It typically omits details that are essential for machine understanding of the algorithm, such as variable declarations and language-specific code. Pseudocode often uses structural conventions of a normal programming language, but is intended for human reading rather than machine reading. In computer science, pseudocode is a plain language description of the steps in an algorithm or another system. JSTOR ( August 2016) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message).Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. This article needs additional citations for verification.
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