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Learning Outcomes
Explain the concepts of problem-solving and structured
programming.

Contents
Recognize 6 steps in problem solving1.
Types of problem1.
Difficulties with problem solving 1
Recognize 7 steps in program development process2.
Pseudocode and developing an Algorithm2

References:
Problem Solving and Programming Concepts (9th Edition) . Maureen Sprankle, Jim Hubbard, Pearson Education Limited 2012.
Simple Program Design. A step by step approach (5th Edition). Lesley Anne Robertson. Cengage Learning 2006.

References:
Problem Solving and Programming Concepts (9th Edition) . Maureen Sprankle, Jim Hubbard, Pearson Education Limited 2012.
Simple Program Design. A step by step approach (5th Edition). Lesley Anne Robertson. Cengage Learning 2006.

Problem Solving in Everyday Life

Problem-solving process (6 steps)
Identify the problem

What to do?

Understand the problem

Knowledge base required

Identify alternatives

Other acceptable methods

Select the best way to solve the problem

List the instructions

All steps required

Evaluate the solution

Check to see if result is correct

Problem Solving in Everyday Life

Example : You are doing assignment at home, and you
are hungry
Identify problem : you are hungry
Understand the problem : you need food
Identify Alternatives :
1.) look for mum
2.) go to kitchen and look for some food
3.) go to kitchen and prepare food yourself
4.) make a food delivery order
5.) go out to have a meal in restaurant / hawker center

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Problem Solving in Everyday Life

Example (continued)
Select the best way
Method 1 : you arent kid anymore
Method 2 : might be a good idea
Method 3 : you might not have time since you are
doing assignment.
Method 4 : might be expensive
Method 5 : you might not have time since you are
doing assignment.
After some consideration, let say you choose method 2

Types of problem
Algorithmic solutions
Can be solved with a series of actions (the algorithm)
Log on to an e-mail account
Withdraw cash from ATM machine

Problem Solving in Everyday Life

Example (continued)
List out the instruction
Go out from the room
Go to kitchen
Search the table, cabinet, refrigerator for food
Consume the food

evaluate the solution

Is the solution help to solve the problem?
Is the solution solve the problem efficiently?
Should we follow the same solution next time?

Types of problem (cont)

6-steps can be used for both problems
But step 6 (for heuristic solutions)
Correctness and appropriateness far less certain
May need to iterate (repeat) many times
Same solution may not work all the time

Heuristic solutions (rule of thumb)

Based on knowledge & experience
Requires a process of trial and error
Add Salt to food (during cooking)
Buying the best stock

Problem solving with computers

Computers built for dealing with algorithmic solutions
Write instruction step by step

Heuristic solutions requires (Artificial) intelligence

The program can make decision like human when for
each situation base on previous solution
Need to transform into algorithmic format

Most problems require a combination of the two kinds

of solutions
Driving a vehicle
Fix a malfunction computer

Difficulties with problem solving

Why?
One or more steps in Problem solving process are not
completed adequately.
Problem-solving process requires time and practice
Problem solving on the computer.
Problem with writing the instruction
E.g. List 5 numbers and pick the largest one.
(Can you explain/list all the steps required?)
The computer is a tool that will perform only tasks that the
user can explain.
All steps must be in proper order

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7 Steps of Program Development Process

7 Steps of Program Development Process

Programming can be defined as the development of a

solution to an identified problem, and the setting up
of a related series of instructions that will produce
the desired results

1.

Define the Problem

To help with initial analysis, the problem should be
divided into three separate components:
the inputs
the outputs
the processing steps to produce the required outputs

4. Test the algorithm (for correctness)

1 Define the Problem

To help with initial analysis, the problem should be
divided into three separate components:
the inputs
the outputs
the processing steps to produce the required outputs
Use IPO chart (Input Process Output chart)

2 Outline the Solution

This initial outline is usually a rough draft of the
solution and may include:
The major processing steps involved
The major subtasks (if any)
The user interface (if any)
The major control structures (e.g. repetition loops)

Define the problem

2. Outline the solution

3.

Develop an algorithm (based on the outline)

5. Code the algorithm (into a specific programming language)

6. Run the program (on the computer)
7. Document & Maintain the program

1 Define the Problem

Example:
Shop A is offering a 20% discount for all products.
Calculate the payment for the customers.
Input
Discount rate, original price of the products
Output
payment
Process
Calculate payment

2 Outline the Solution

Example (step by step to solve the problem) :
Get the price of product purchase by the customer
Get the discount rate
Calculate the discount amount
Calculate the payment after discount
Display the payment amount to the customer

The major variables and record structures

The mainline logic

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3 Develop the Outline into an Algorithm

4 Test the Algorithm for Correctness

The solution outline developed in Step 2 is expanded

into an algorithm: a set of precise steps that describe
exactly the tasks to be performed and the order in
which they are to be carried out

This step is one of the most important in the development

Develop flow chart and pseudocode from IPO chart

to identify major logic errors early, so that they may be

of a program, and yet it is the step most often forgotten

The main purpose of desk checking (test the algorithm) is
easily corrected
Early error identification is better because will save time
and cost

5 Code the Algorithm into a Specific

Programming Language

6 Run the Program on the Computer

Only after all design considerations have been met

This step uses a program compiler and programmer-

should you actually start to code the program into your

designed test data to machine test the code for syntax

chosen programming language (e.g c++, c , Java)

errors and logic errors

Syntax error any violation of rules of the language
results in syntax error
Logic errors these errors are related to logic of the
program execution

7 Document and Maintain the Program

Program documentation should not be listed as the
last step in the program development process, as it is
really an ongoing task from the initial definition of the
problem to the final test result
Documentation involves both external documentation
and internal documentation that may have been coded
in the program

Algorithms
A program must be systematically and properly
designed before coding begins

This design process results in the construction of an

algorithm

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What Is an Algorithm?
An algorithm is like a recipe: it lists the steps involved
in accomplishing a task
It can be defined in programming terms as a set of
detailed, unambiguous and ordered instructions
developed to describe the process necessary to
produce the desired output from a given input

Tools to build algorithm

From algorithm, we also can uses:
Pseudocode (more English-like)
Flowcharts
Nassi-Schneiderman diagrams
As all above are all popular ways of representing
algorithms

Summary
The steps in program development were introduced
and briefly described below:
1. Define the problem
2. Outline the solution
3. Develop the outline into an algorithm
4. Test the algorithm for correctness
5. Code the algorithm into a specific programming

language
6. Run the program on the computer
7. Document and maintain the program