In C programming language, it becomes mandatory to follow syntax while executing the program, and it becomes challenging to understand the logic of the complex program. Therefore, to understand the program logic in a better way and to solve the complex problem, you must write it in pseudocode, which is written in simple English that makes it easy to understand. This tutorial will help you learn more about pseudocode in C.
What Is Pseudo-Code in C?
The pseudocode in C is an informal way of writing a program for better human understanding. It is written in simple English, making the complex program easier to understand.
Pseudocode cannot be compiled or interpreted. It doesn't follow the programming language's syntax; it is thus written in pseudocode so that any programmers or non-programmers can easily understand it.
Consider the following source code example:
Int n = 10
for( i=0;i<n;i++)
printf(n);
The above source code is converted into a pseudo-code to understand in a better way.
The value ten is assigned to the variable n.
For value = zero to less than a number.
Display the numbers.
Algorithm:
Consider the above image as an example of how the factory workers are supplying the packages. The other workers are tracking items, and engineers are processing the business report; In general, the whole process is done step by step.
Similarly, you have C programming language algorithms, which follow a step-by-step procedure to solve a problem. You have the algorithm to execute a set of instructions in a particular order to get an output.
You will go through a few examples that will help you understand how to write Pseudo-code in C.
Algorithm for the Program Factorial of a Given Number.
Step 1: start
Step 2: initialize fact = 1
Step 3: input from the user value n
Step 4: for i=1 to i <= n repeat the process
Step 5: fact = fact * i
Step 6: i++ [increament i by one]
Step 7: print fact value
Step 8: stop
Now let’s implement pseudo-code from the above algorithm.
Start program
Declare fact and n
Enter number for n
for i=1 to i <=n
Perform fact = fact * i
Display fact
End program
By referring to the above pseudo-code, create a program for factorial of a given number using for loop.
Source Code:
#include <stdio.h>
void main()
{
int n, fact=1,i;
printf("enter value for n");
scanf("%d",&n);
for(i=1; i<=n; i++)
{
fact=fact*i;
}
printf("\n factorial of %d is %d", n, fact);
}
Output:
Now that you have understood pseudo-code writing in C and executing a program from it.
It is time to consider another example.
Algorithm to Find the Sum of Natural Numbers.
Step 1: start
Step 2: declare and initialize
n, sum = 0 and i
Step 3: Input number n
Step 4: for i=1 to i<=n
Step 5: sum = sum + i
Step 6: i++ [increment i value by one]
Step 7: print sum
Step 8: stop
Let’s implement pseudo-code from the above algorithm.
Start program
Declare variables n, sum = 0 and i
Enter the number for n
For i=1 to i<=n
Perform operation sum = sum + i
Increment i value by one
Print sum
End program
Hence, from the above pseudo-code, it becomes easy to understand the logic of the program.
Now, turn out pseudo-code into the program to find the sum of natural numbers.
Source Code:
#include <stdio.h>
void main()
{
int n, sum=0, i;
printf("enter the number of terms:");
scanf("%d", &n);
for(i=1; i<=n; i++)
{
sum = sum+i;
}
printf("sum of series=%d",sum);
}
Output:
Up next, you have another example program on the Fibonacci series.
Now, perform the same steps to implement the program from the pseudo-code.
Algorithm:
Step 1: start
Step 2: declare and initialize
n, i = 0
Step 3: input number n
Step 4: while ( i < n)
++i
Step 5: if ( n ==0) || (n == 1)
return 0
else
if(n == 2)
return 1
else
return (fib (n-1) + fib (n-2))
Step 6: print fibonacci series
Step 7: stop
Let’s implement pseudo-code from the above algorithm.
Start program
Declare variables n and i = 0
Enter the number for n to generate fibonacci series
while i < n
++i [ increment i value ]
if n ==0 or n ==1
Return 0
if (n ==2 )
Return 1
else
Return ( fib(n-1) + fib (n-2))
Print fibonacci series
End program
Followed by pseudo-code, generate the Fibonacci series program.
Source Code:
#include <stdio.h>
fib (int n)
{
if(n==0 || n==1)
return 0;
else
if(n==2)
return (1);
else return (fib(n-1)+fib(n-2));
}
void main()
{
int n,i=0;
printf("enter the number to generate fibonacci series:");
scanf("%d",&n);
printf("fibonacci series:\n");
while(i<n)
{
++i;
printf("%d \n",fib(i));
}
}
Output:
You will go through a few advantages and disadvantages for a better understanding.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Pseudo-Code in C
- It is easy to understand even a complex program
- It does not follow C programming language syntax
- C programs can be easily generated by pseudo-code
- It allows us to understand the logic of a program very quickly
- Pseudo-code can be modified easily
Disadvantages of Pseudo-Code in C
- Unlike the c programs, a pseudo-code cannot be compiled or interpreted from which errors cannot be identified
- As pseudo-code can be written in any order, so it becomes difficult to understand the flow of a program
Next Steps
"Data Structures in C" can be your next topic. So far, you have learned the pseudo-code in the C programming language. The next fundamentals will be the data structures and the varieties in data structures used for different purposes.
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