How to Write Perfect Pseudocode- Syntax , Standards, Terms

Syntax Rules for Pseudocode

• Natural Language: Use simple and clear natural language to describe steps.
• Keywords: Use standard control flow keywords such as:
  • IF, ELSE, ENDIF
  • FOR, WHILE, ENDWHILE
  • FUNCTION, CALL
  • INPUT, OUTPUT
• Indentation: Indent blocks within loops or conditionals to signify nesting.
• Capitalization: Write pseudocode keywords in UPPERCASE to distinguish them from variables and logic descriptions.
• Variables: Use meaningful and descriptive names (e.g., customerName, totalSales).

Standards:

1. Use simple language: Avoid complex sentences and focus on concise, easy-to-understand statements.
2. Be consistent: Use the same terminology and formatting throughout the pseudocode.
3. Use indentation: Indent code blocks to show hierarchy and improve readability.

Terms

1. INPUT: Used to describe user input or data input.
   Example: INPUT name
2. OUTPUT: Used to describe output or results.
   Example: OUTPUT "Hello, " + name
3. SET: Used to assign a value to a variable.
   Example: SET count = 0
4. IF: Used to describe conditional statements.
   Example: IF age > 18 THEN ...
5. WHILE: Used to describe loops.
   Example: WHILE count < 10 DO ...
6. FOR: Used to describe loops with a counter.
   Example: FOR i = 1 TO 10 DO ...
7. REPEAT: Used to describe loops that repeat until a condition is met.
   Example: REPEAT ... UNTIL count = 10
8. UNTIL: Used to describe loops that repeat until a condition is met.
   Example: REPEAT ... UNTIL count = 10
9. CASE: Used to describe multi-branch conditional statements.
   Example: CASE color OF ...
10. PROCEDURE: Used to describe a subroutine or function.
    Example: PROCEDURE greet(name) ...

Common Terms and Constructs in Pseudocode

Control Structures

Conditionals:
IF condition 
THEN // Actions
 ELSE // Alternative actions
 ENDIF

LoopsFOR variable FROM start TO end
 DO // Actions 
ENDFOR 
WHILE condition 
DO // Actions 
ENDWHILE

Input/Output

Use clear and direct terms for input and output:
INPUT "Enter a number:", 
user Number
 OUTPUT "The result is:", result

Functions and Procedures

Define reusable components:FUNCTION calculateSum(a, b)
 RETURN a + b
 ENDFUNCTION

Error Handling

Describe how to handle errors in a readable way:IF error occurs 
THEN OUTPUT "Error encountered. Exiting process." 
EXIT 
ENDIF

Data Manipulation

Data operations like adding, updating, or deleting:                                                                                 SET total TO total + itemCost 
REMOVE item FROM shoppingCart

Example of Good Pseudocodes

Here’s an example of a simple algorithm to calculate the average of three numbers:

INPUT num1, num2, num3

SET sum = num1 + num2 + num3
SET average = sum / 3

OUTPUT "The average is: " + average

Problem: Calculate the factorial of a given number.

START

INPUT "Enter a positive integer:", num
IF num < 0 THEN
    OUTPUT "Error: Number must be positive."
    EXIT
ENDIF

SET factorial TO 1
FOR i FROM 1 TO num DO
    SET factorial TO factorial * i
ENDFOR

OUTPUT "The factorial of", num, "is", factorial

END

By following these guidelines, syntax, standards, and terms, you can write perfect pseudocode that is easy to read, understand, and implement.