Algorithm:
It is a problem solving technique. It can be defined as, "a step by step procedure to solve a particular problem".
It consists of English like statements. Each statement must be precise and well defined to perform a specific operation.
An algorithm is named after the famous 9th century Arabic author and mathematician "Abu jafar mohammed ibn musa Al Khowarizmi". The last two terms of the name took different pronunciation over the period and finally it became "Algorithm".
Characters of Algorithm:
Each and every Algorithm is characterized by the following 5 important characteristics.
1. input: It may accept zero or more inputs.
2. output: It should produce at least one output (Results).
3. Definiteness: Each instruction must be clear, well defined and precise.
4. Finiteness: It should be a sequence of finite instructions.
5. Effectiveness: It means, the operation must be simple.
/*write an algorithm to compute sum of 5 no's */
step 1: [start]
step 2: [Read 5 no's]
step 3: [Compute the 5 no's]
step 4: [print]
step 5: [end]
Flowchart:
The flowchart can be defined as the, "Diagrammatic representation of and Algorithm". It is referred to as blueprint of an algorithm. It is also defined as, visual or graphical or pictorial representation of an Algorithm.
Flowchart make use of geometrical figures to specify particular operation. The below table shows different geometrical figures, used in the program flowchart with their functions. While drawing flowchart, operation must be return inside the geometric figure.
