Defining Diagrams

Key Words used in Algorithm

PRINT - 1. It is used to display an instruction to the user for example a
prompt statement
i.e. PRINT Please enter your name
2. It is used to display the result of Algorithm
i.e. PRINT The total of two numbers is sum
INPUT This used to read or accept a value that will be entered into a
computer by a user
For example INPUT name
What is a prompt Statement?
It is a description or instruction that tells the user what to do.
For example in the problem statement: Write an algorithm that
prompts the user to enter the price and quantity of an item and then
find the total price.

The only way the user will know what to do is if you tell them.
1) PRINT Enter the price of the item
2) PRINT Enter the quantity
 Activity 1
Identify the prompt statements in the following algorithm.
Write an algorithm that accepts four grades and compute and print
the average grade.
 Variables
These are containers in memory that are used to store inputs in a
computer.
Just as cooking chicken requires you to put meat in a container to be
washed, seasoned and cooked each input in computer requires a
container (variable). Also note that for every purpose there is the
need for a container.
Identifying the need for Variables
Write an algorithm that accepts the price and quantity of an item.
Print the total price.

You will need a container (variable) to store the price, quantity and
the total price.
 Activity 2
Identify the variables in the following problem statement.
Write an algorithm that accepts 4 grades and find the average grades.
Lets look at naming variables
A name of a variable cannot have a space even if you are using two
words.
You may join the words for example Totalprice or use an underscore between words for
example Total_price.

You are not allowed to use any other symbol other than an
underscore (_). That is you cannot use #, @,!,&,* when naming a
variable
Naming Variables Contd
You cannot start a variable name with a number for example
1number, 2 number.
However you may start with an underscore (_) for example _price or
with a letter num1
A variable cannot be a keyword for example INPUT, READ, BEGIN,
START
 Activity 3
Identify and name the variables in the problem statement below.
Write an algorithm that accepts 4 grades and find the average grades.
Reconstructing our Defining Diagram
In lesson 1 and 2 we learnt that all problem statement will have an
input, output, some storing and a process (recipe) to solve the
algorithm.
Input: what we are asked to enter
Output: what our result should be
Storing: what our variables will be
Process: The steps we will follow to achieve the desired output
 Defining Diagram

Write an algorithm that accepts price and quantity of an item. Print the total price.

I P O
Quantity 1. PRINT Enter the quantity Total_Price
Price 2. INPUT quantity
3. PRINT Enter the price
4. INPUT price
5. Total_Price=Price*Quantity
6. PRINT The total price is,
Total_Price
 Activity 4
Draw a defining gram that accepts 4 grades and print the average.