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8                   Algorithm and Flowchart














                   Your Aim

                   to learn about:
                           Algorithm                        Characteristics of a Good Algorithm and Flowcharts
                            Uses of an Algorithm              Writing an Algorithm
                              Defining Flowcharts                Solving Problems using Algorithms and Flowcharts





                 All humans communicate with each other using a language that has many words and tones.
                 Computers communicate and understand only '1' and '0'. We give instructions to the computer

                 in our language but it first converts it into 0 and 1 and then works according to our instructions.
                 Let's know more about all this.
                 In our daily life, we have to solve various problems by using different strategies. These strategies are

                 called problem solving techniques. A problem solving technique is a collection of sequential steps
                 to solve a problem. In the same way, programmers also use different types of techniques to solve
                 the problems related to programming. Some of these techniques are algorithms and flowcharts.
                 In this chapter, we will learn about algorithms, flowcharts and programming languages used to
                 develop programs.


                     ALGORITHM

                 As we know that a program is a collection of instructions. The language used to write a program is
                 called a programming language. Before writing a program on the computer, every programmer
                 must analyse the problem and write an algorithm to solve the problem.

                 An algorithm is a set of steps in a sequential manner to solve a problem or to complete a task.
                 The problem can be logical or mathematical. Algorithms are the building blocks of computer
                 programs. They are important to programming as recipes are for cooking. An algorithm is always
                 written in very simple words and precise language so that the steps can be understood easily by

                 everyone.
                 In computer  terms,  'Algorithm  is the sequence of  steps or computer operations  which

                 collectively solve a given problem'.





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