Introduction to Problem Solving

What is Problem solving?

⚫ Problem solving is a process of
transforming the
description of a problem into the solution of
that problem by using our knowledge of the
problem domain and by relying on our ability to
select and use appropriate problem-solving
Strategies,Techniques andTools.
⚫ Problem (with in the context of
solving programs) refers to analyzing a
developingwith the intention of deriving a
problem
solution for the problem
SDLC – Software Development Life Cycle

REQUIREMENTS

ANALYSIS

DESIGN

CODING

TESTING

IMPLEMENTATION

DOCUMENTATION
REQUIREMENTS
❖ What the problem is?
❖ What is needed to solve it?
❖ What the solution should provide
❖If there are constraints and special
conditions?
ANALYSIS
⚫ I N P U T S: To the problem, their form
and the input media to be used.
⚫ OUTPUTS: Expected from the
problem, their form and the output media
to be used.
⚫ Special constraints or (necessity)
conditions (if any).
⚫ Formulas or equations to be used
DESIGN
⚫ InDesign phase, we design the proposed
solution without writing a computer
program by using the techniques:
◦ Algorithm
◦ Pseudocode
◦ Flow Chart
Coding
⚫ It is the process of transforming design
(Algorithm, Pseudocode, Flow Chart) in a
computer program using any
programming language.
⚫ The output of program must be the
solution of intended problem.
Testing
⚫ program testing is the process of executing a
program to demonstrate its correctness.
⚫ Program verification is the process of
ensuring that a program meets user
requirement
⚫ After the program is compiled we must run
the program and test/verify it with different
inputs before the program can be released
to the public or other users (or to the
instructor of this class)
Implementation
⚫ It is the process of installing the software
developed on customer‟s site.
⚫ Installation may be done by replace the
entire manual work with the software
developed or in a pilot mode i.e. running
the manual and automated system in
parallel or installing only a part module
with manual work.
⚫ It also involves training of software to the
intended users.
Documentation
-Contains details produced at all stages of the
program development cycle.
Can be done in 2 ways
* writing comments between your line of
codes.
* Creating a separate text file to explain the
program.
-Important not only for other people to use or
modify your program, but also for you to
understand your own program after along time.
Algorithm
⚫ An algorithm is a list of steps to be executed with
the right order in which these steps should be
executed.
⚫ According to D.E. Knuth, an algorithm has the
following characteristics:
An algorithm has fixed number of steps.
Eachstep in analgorithm specifies the action to
be performed.
The steps in an algorithm specify basic
operations.
An algorithm accepts input data.
An algorithm generates one or more outputs
after the input is processed
Algorithm to withdraw money from ATM
The algorithm to withdraw arequired amount from anATM will
be:
1. Start the algorithm.
2. Go to any local ATM.
3. Insert/swipe your ATM card.
4. Press the language button that you want to choose.
5. Enter the pin code number.
6. Press the account type (Savings or Current) button from which you
want to withdraw the money.
7. Press the cash withdrawal button.
8. Enter the amount you want to withdraw.
9. Collect the amount from the ATM machine.
10. Collect the statement from the ATM machine.
11. Collect your ATM card.
12. End the algorithm.
Algorithm of getting out of bed and
prepare to go to work
1. Get out of Bed.
2.Take Shower.
3. Get Dressed

If a same steps are performed in a slightly

different order:
1.Get out of Bed.
2.Get Dressed.
3.Take Shower

What will be the result?

Just a minute…
Write an algorithm to accept two numbers, divide the
first number by the second, and display their quotient.
Allocated time to solve the problem is 05 minutes.

Write analgorithm that accepts distance in kilometers,

converts it into meters, and then displays the result.
Hint:Distance in meters = Distance in kilometers * 1000
Allocated time to solve the problem is 05 minutes.

W rite an algorithm that accepts five numbers

and displays the sum and average of the
numbers.
Allocated time to solve the problem is 05 minutes.
Solution - 1
1. Start the algorithm.
2. Get the first number.
3. Get the second number.
4. Divide the first number by the
second.
5. Display the quotient.
6. End the algorithm. 72 9

72 9 8
Solution - 2
1. Start the algorithm.
2. Get the distance in kilometers.
3. Multiply the distance by 1000.
4. Display the result of
multiplication as distance
in meters. 50
5. End the algorithm.
50 1000 50000

Distance in meters: 50000

Solution - 3
1.Start the algorithm. 3
2.Get the first number. 1
3.Get the second number.
6 20
4.Get the third number.
2
5.Get the fourth number.
6.Get the fifth number. 8

7.Add the five numbers.

20 5 4
8.Divide the sum by 5.
9.Display the addition as sum Sum = 20
Average = 4
and result of division as average.
10. End the algorithm.
Flowchart
⚫ Flowchart is a graph used to depict or
show a step by step solution using
symbols which represent a task.
⚫ The symbols used consist of geometrical
shapes that are connected by flow lines.
⚫ It is an alternative to pseudo coding,
where as a pseudo code description is
verbal.A flowchart is graphical in nature
Advantages & Disadvantages of Flow Chart

ADVANTAGES
It helps in analyzing the problems effectively.
It acts as aguide during the program development phase.
It help easy debugging of logical errors

DISADVANTAGES
A lengthy flowchart may extend over multiple pages, which reduces
readability.
Drawing a flowchart is time consuming.
The changes made to a single step may cause redrawing the entire
flowchart
Flowchart Symbols
Flowchart Symbols
 Flowchart – To withdraw money from ATM
Start A

Go to any local ATM Press the cash withdrawal

button
Insert/swip
Enter the amount
e your card
that you want to
Press the language button withdraw
that you want to choose
Collect the amount
Enter the pin from the ATM machine
code number
Collect the statement
Press the account (Savings or Current)
from the ATM machine
button from which you want to
withdraw the money
Collect your ATM card
A
Stop
Flowchart – To accept a number
and increment by 1, and
display the result
Start

Accept a
number

Add 1 to the Number

Display the
number

Stop
Consider anexample where you need to determine whether a
number is even or odd.This problem canbe solved basedon the
condition that the number should be divisible by 2. If the number is
divisible by 2, it should display the message, „The Number is Even‟,
otherwise „The Number is Odd‟.

Start

Accept a number

Divide the number by 2

Yes Display ‘The
Is the remainder
Number is
equal to zero ?
No Even’
Display ‘The
Number is Odd’

Stop
Just a Minute…
⚫ Write a flow chart to calculate area of
rectangle
◦ AllottedTime:05 minutes
⚫ Writea flow chart to enter any number
and check it is divisible by 7 or not
◦ AllottedTime:05 minutes
Solution - 1

Start

Accept length,
breadth

Area = length * breadth

Display Area

Stop
Solution - 2
Start

Accept a number

Divide the number by 7

No
Display
Is the remainder ‘Number not
equal to zero ? divisible by
Yes 7’

Display ‘Number
divisible by 7’

Stop
Pseudocode
⚫ It is a formal way of writing the program logic
whereas algorithm is an informal way of writing
program logic
⚫ It is detailed yet easy description of what algorithm
must do.
⚫ It is written in formally styled-English language
⚫ It is used as an initial step in the process of
developing of program
⚫ Provide detailed template to programmers.
⚫ It is language independent i.e. it can be converted
to program by using any programming language.
Pseudocode
⚫ In Pseudocode we can use few special
words for determining the actions like
◦ Accept/input
◦ Display/print
◦ If / else
◦ Repeat
◦ Start
◦ End
◦ Goto
Example – to input 2 number and
display the sum
1. START
2. INPUT A, B
3. TOTAL = A + B
4. PRINTTOTAL
5. END
Example – to enter a number and
check it is even or odd
1. START MOD (%) is used to find out
remainder by dividing 2
2. INPUT NUM
3. IF NUM MOD 2 = 0THEN
4. PRINT “NUMBER IS EVEN”
5. ELSE
6. PRINT “NUMBER IS ODD”
7. END
Types of Control program structure
⚫ In computer program there are mainly 3
types of control statements:
1. Sequential
2. Selection
3. Iteration
Sequential
⚫A series of steps or statements that are executed
in a specific order.
⚫ The beginning and end of a block of statements
can be optionally marked with the keywords
begin & end.
⚫ Example:
1. Statement1
2. Statement 2
3.Statement 3
4. .
5. Statement n
⚫ Here each statement will be executed one by one
Example – to swap 2 numbers
1. START In this Pseudocode, each
instruction will be executed one
2. INPUT A, B by one without any jump

3. C =A Let us input A=10, B = 20

4. A=B C = A ( C = 10 )
A = B ( A = 20 )
5. B= C B = C ( B = 10 )

6. PRINT A,B We can clearly observe the

values of A and B are
exchanged
7. END
Can you all think of another
method for the same problem
without using„C‟
Hint: use arithmetic operation
Selection
⚫ It determine two course of action depending
upon the condition.
⚫ A condition is given here, which will result in
either True(1) or False (0)
⚫ The keyword either if and else ( almost all
programming language also support this
keyword )
⚫ It is also known as branching statement,
because it provide two branch, one for True and
another for False. Branching will be done
depending upon the condition.
Example- to input age and check age
is eligible for voting or not
1. START
2. INPUT AGE
3. IFAGE>=18THEN:
4. PRINT “ELIGIBLE FORVOTING”
5. ELSE
6. PRINT “NOT ELIGIBLE FORVOTING”
7. END
LET USTAKE INPUT IN AGE IS
29,THEN
IF A GE>=18 (TRU E) SO
O U T P U T W I L L BE
“ELIGIBLE FOR VO T ING”
N O W TA K E A GE=14
IF A GE>=18 (FA L SE) SO
“NOT ELIGIBLE FOR
VO T ING” W I L L BE PRINT E D
Iteration
⚫ It specifies block of one or more statement that
are repeatedly executed till condition remains
true.
⚫ Keyword used are :
◦ While (supported by almost all programming language
also)
◦ If with go to (in Pseudocode only)
⚫ Iteration consists of 3 main parts:
1. Initial value (from where iteration begins)
2. Condition (upto what condition iteration will continues)
3. Stepping (Increment/Decrement from Initial value
to reach to condition)
Example: To print all number
from 1 to 100 (While)
1. START
2. A=1 [IN ITIAL VA L U E]

3. WHILE A<=100 [CONDITION]

4. PRINT A
5. A=A + 1 [INCREMENT]

6. END

Initially A =1, Now condition will be checked A<=100, will be true,

then it will print 1, now the value of A will be increment by 1 i.e.
becomes 2, now again condition will be checked, True, and this process
will be continued, After printing 100, value of A will become 101,
condition will be evaluated to False, and loop will end
Example: To print all number
from 1 to 100 (if with go to)
1. START
2. A=1 [IN ITIAL VA L U E]

3. PRINT A
4. A =A + 1
5. IFA<=100 THEN GO TO STEP 3
6. END

Initially A =1, It will print 1, after this value of A will be incremented

by 1 i.e. 2, Now the condition will be checked, A<=100 (2<=100) will
be true so execution will move to step 3 i.e. it will print 2 and again
incremented by 1 i.e. 3 and condition be will checked and printed, this
process will be condition, when value of A becomes 101, Pseudocode
will end
Just a Minute….
1. Write a Pseudocode to convert
temperature in Fahrenheit to Celsius
2. Write a Pseudocode to input age and check
age is teenager or not
3. Write a Pseudocode to print all the
even numbers from 2 to 100
4. Write a Pseudocode to print all the odd
numbers from 100 to 1
Decomposition
⚫ Large program can be tackled with “divide and
conquer”.
⚫ Decomposition happens when we break
down a problem into smaller parts so we can
both understand and
manage the problem better.
⚫ For large, complex problems – we can then
analyze, solve and design the smaller parts of
the problem and then put it all together for a
solution.
Advantages
⚫ Different people can work on different subprograms.
⚫ Parallelization may be possible
⚫ Maintenance is easier

Disadvantages
⚫ The solution to subprogram might not combine to solve
the original problem
⚫ Poorly understood problems are hard to decompose
Need of Decomposition
⚫ As studied earlier, first need of decomposition is
to divide the large program into smaller and
manageable sub program, it is easier to write 2
programs of 400 lines than writing single
program of 800 lines.
⚫ Each subprogram can be managed
independently
⚫ Global changes can be applied very easily
⚫ Code can be reused
⚫ Functions, modules, class are some example of
decomposition.
Decomposition Example - 1
Decomposition Example - 2
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Decomposition Example - 3
⚫ Think of a company creating a mobile phone.
Mobile phones are made up of lots of different
parts. Companies who make phones might
make a list of everything they need and
decompose the manufacturing process so that
one factory can be making the screens while
another makes batteries, another makes the
phone case and another makes mother board.
Decomposition – Developing a game
⚫ Game designing is very complex process, it not very
simple. Playing game is a simple process but developing a
game is not the easy task.
⚫ Step 1:Came up with an idea to develop a game
⚫ Step 2: Create all the graphics required.
⚫ Step 3:Record all the sound needed in game
⚫ Step 4: Write code for each and every movement (run,
jump, sit, walk etc.), action(firing bullets, hit action etc.),
score calculation and so on.
⚫ Step 5:Testing of Game
⚫ Step 6: Debug and make improvements
Decomposition – Developing a game