Pseudocode facts for kids

Pseudocode (say "soo-doh-kohd") is a way to describe how a computer program or an algorithm works. Think of it like a simple plan for a computer, written in words that people can easily understand.

It uses ideas from computer programming languages, but it leaves out all the tricky details that only computers need. The main reason we use pseudocode is to help people understand a program's steps without having to learn a complicated programming language first. It's like a blueprint for a house, but for computer code!

What Pseudocode Looks Like

Pseudocode doesn't follow the strict rules of any real computer language. It's much more flexible!

• You usually don't need to declare (or "tell the computer about") variables.
• Complex parts of code, like a for loop (which repeats actions), are often explained in a simple sentence.
• It's all about making the steps clear for a human reader, not for a machine to run.

Simple Examples of Pseudocode

Let's look at some examples to see how pseudocode works.

FOR I FROM 1 TO 50:
    PRINT I

This pseudocode tells the computer to count from 1 all the way up to 50. For each number, it will show (or "print") that number. So, it would print 1, then 2, then 3, and so on, until it prints 50.

SET X = 1
FOR I FROM 1 TO 16:
    PRINT X
    SET X = X * 2

This example shows how to calculate powers of two.

• First, we set a variable named `X` to the number 1.
• Then, we start a loop that runs 16 times.
• Inside the loop, it first prints the current value of `X`.
• After that, it changes `X` by multiplying it by 2.

So, it would print 1, then 2, then 4, then 8, and so on, doubling the number each time.

define AND(A, B) do
    if A then
        return B
    endif
    return 0
end define

This pseudocode describes a logical AND function. In simple terms, it checks if two things (let's call them A and B) are both true.

• If A is true, then the function checks B. If B is also true, it returns B (which means "true").
• If A is not true, or if A is true but B is not, it returns 0 (which means "false").

This is a basic way computers make decisions based on multiple conditions.

Why Pseudocode is Useful

Pseudocode is a great tool for several reasons:

• Planning: It helps programmers plan out their code before they start writing it in a specific language. This can save a lot of time and prevent mistakes.
• Communication: It allows programmers to share their ideas with others, even if those people don't know the same programming language.
• Learning: It's a fantastic way for students to learn about algorithms and programming logic without getting bogged down by complex syntax rules.
• Debugging: If a program isn't working right, looking at the pseudocode can help find where the logic went wrong.

See also

A friendly robot thinking about code.

• In Spanish: Pseudocódigo para niños