An Introduction to Programming with C++

Eighth Edition

Chapter 2:
Beginning the Problem-Solving Process

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 Chapter Objectives

• Explain the problem-solving process

used to create a
computer program
• Analyze a problem
• Complete an IPO chart
• Plan an algorithm using pseudocode and
flowcharts
• Desk-check an algorithm

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 Problem Solving

• People solve hundreds of simple

problems every day
without thinking about how they do it
• Understanding the thought process involved can help
in
solving more complex problems
• You can also use a similar process to design a
computer
solution to a problem (computer program)

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 Solving Everyday Problems

• First step in solving a problem: analyze it

– Example: paying and mailing a bill
• Next, you plan, review, implement, and evaluate the
solution
• After this, it may be necessary to modify the
solution

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 Solving Everyday Problems (cont’d.)

Figure 2-1 Summary of the analysis and planning steps for

the bill paying problem
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 Solving Everyday Problems (cont’d.)

Figure 2-2 Modified algorithm for the bill paying problem

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 Creating Computer Solutions to Problems

• A similar process to everyday problem solving is used

to
create computer programs
• A computer program is a solution implemented on a
computer
• There are six steps to creating a computer solution to
a
problem

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 Creating Computer Solutions to Problems
(cont’d.)

Figure 2-3 How to create a computer solution to a problem

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 Step 1−Analyzing the Problem

• It is essential to understand a problem before

creating a
solution to it
• Analyze a problem to:
– Determine the goal of solving it (Output)
– Determine the items needed to achieve that goal (Input)
• Always search first for the output

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 Step 1−Analyzing the Problem (cont’d.)

Figure 2-4 Problem specification for Addison O’Reilly

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 Step 1−Analyzing the Problem (cont’d.)

• Some programmers use an IPO chart to organize

and
summarize the results of a problem analysis
– IPO: Input, processing, and output

Figure 2-5 Partially completed IPO chart

showing the input and output items
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 Hints for Analyzing Problems

• Several readings of the problem may be

necessary to
fully understand the problem
• Cross out irrelevant information in the problem
description

Figure 2-6 Problem specification with

unimportant information crossed out
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 Hints for Analyzing Problems (cont’d.)

• Some problem specifications contain incomplete

information

Figure 2-7 Problem specification that does

not contain enough information

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 Hints for Analyzing Problems (cont’d.)

• Distinguish between information that is missing

and
information that is implied

Figure 2-8 Problem specification in

which the input is not explicitly stated

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 Step 2−Planning the Algorithm

• Algorithm: set of instructions that will

transform the
problem’s input into its output
– Record in the Processing column of the IPO chart
– Can be written as pseudocode or a flowchart
• Pseudocode: tool programmers use to help plan
an
algorithm
– Short English statements
– Not standardized
– Not understandable by a computer
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 Step 2−Planning the Algorithm (cont’d.)

Figure 2-9 Problem specification and IPO

chart for the Addison O’Reilly problem
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 Step 2−Planning the Algorithm (cont’d.)

• Flowcharts are also used to plan an algorithm

– Use standardized symbols
– Symbols connected with flowlines
– Oval: start/stop symbol
• Represents beginning and end of algorithm
– Rectangle: process symbol
• Represents tasks such as calculations
– Parallelogram: input/output symbol
• Represents I/O tasks

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 Step 2−Planning the Algorithm (cont’d.)

Figure 2-10 Figure 2-9’s algorithm in flowchart form

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 Step 2−Planning the Algorithm (cont’d.)

Figure 2-11 A different solution to the

Addison O’Reilly problem (pseudocode)

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 Step 2−Planning the Algorithm (cont’d.)

• Processing item: an intermediate

value (neither input nor output)
the algorithm uses to transform
input into output

Figure 2-11 A different solution to the

Addison O’Reilly problem (flowchart)
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 Step 3−Desk-Checking the Algorithm

• Desk-checking an algorithm verifies that it is correct

– Refers to checking an algorithm by hand, rather than
with a computer
– Also called hand-tracing
• Choose sample data and manually compute the
expected
output value
• Creating a desk-check table can be helpful

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 Step 3−Desk-Checking the Algorithm
(cont’d.)

Figure 2-12 Manual cost calculation for the first desk-check

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 Step 3−Desk-Checking the Algorithm
(cont’d.)

Figure 2-13 Addison O’Reilly solution and

partially completed desk-check table

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 Step 3−Desk-Checking the Algorithm
(cont’d.)

Figure 2-14 Input values entered in the desk-check table

Figure 2-16 Output value entered in the desk-check table

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 Step 3−Desk-Checking the Algorithm
(cont’d.)

Figure 2-17 Manual cost calculation for

the second desk-check

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 Step 3−Desk-Checking the Algorithm
(cont’d.)

Figure 2-18 Second set of input values

entered in the desk-check table

Figure 2-19 Value of the second desk-check’s

processing item entered in the desk-check table

Figure 2-20 Value of the second desk-check’s

output item entered in the desk-check table
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 Step 3−Desk-Checking the Algorithm
(cont’d.)
• Valid data: data that the
algorithm is expecting the user
to enter
• Invalid data: data that the algorithm is not expecting
the user to enter
• You should test an algorithm with invalid data
– Users may make mistakes when entering data

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 The Gas Mileage Problem

Figure 2-21 Problem specification for the gas mileage

problem

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 The Gas Mileage Problem (cont’d.)

• Plan the algorithm with an IPO chart

Figure 2-22 IPO chart for the gas mileage problem

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 The Gas Mileage Problem (cont’d.)

• Then desk-check the algorithm

Figure 2-23 Desk-check table for the gas mileage problem

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 Summary

• Problem solving typically involves analyzing the

problem and then planning, reviewing, implementing,
evaluating, and modifying (if necessary) the solution
• Programmers use tools (IPO charts, pseudocode,
flowcharts) to help them analyze problems and develop
algorithms
• The first step in problem solving is to analyze the
problem
– First determine the output and then the input

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 Summary (cont’d.)

• The second step is to plan the algorithm

– Write the steps that will transform the input into the
output
– Most algorithms begin with entering input data, then
processing the data, then displaying the output
• The third step is to desk-check the algorithm
– Choose sample data and manually compute the expected
output
– Create a desk-check table to fill in values step by step

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 Lab 2-1: Stop and Analyze

Study the IPO chart shown in Figure 2-26 and

then answer
the questions.

Figure 2-26 IPO

An Introduction to Programming with C++, Eighth chart for Lab
duplicated,2-1
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 Lab 2-1: Stop and Analyze (cont’d.)

• Complete the desk-check table using two sets of input

values. First, use 100, 5, and 8 as the quantity sold, item
cost, and item selling price, respectively. The use 650,
2.50, and 3.75. What will the algorithm display using
the first set of input values? What will the algorithm
display using the second set of input values?
• How would you modify the IPO chart to also display the
difference between the item cost and item selling price?
• How would you modify the IPO chart and desk-check
table to eliminate the use of a processing item?

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 Lab 2-2: Plan and Create

• Create an algorithm for the manager of

the Jericho
Bakery

Figure 2-27 Problem Specification for Lab 2-2

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 Lab 2-2: Plan and Create (cont’d.)

Figure 2-29 Completed IPO Chart for Lab 2-2

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 Lab 2-2: Plan and Create (cont’d.)

Figure 2-30 Manual calculations for the two desk-checks

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 Lab 2-3: Modify

• Jericho Bakery has raised the price of

its muffins from
$0.50 to $0.55.
• Make the appropriate modifications to the IPO chart
shown earlier in Figure 2-29.
• Desk-check the algorithm twice.
• For the first desk-check, use 4, 2, 0.50, and 0.55 as the
number of doughnuts ordered, number of muffins
ordered, doughnut price, and muffin price, respectively.
• For the second desk-check, use 0, 12, 0.60, and 0.70.
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 Lab 2-4: What’s Missing?

A local club sells boxes of three types of cookies:

shortbread, pecan sandies, and chocolate mint. The
club leader wants a program that displays the
percentage that each of the cookie types contributes to
the total cookie sales. Figure 2-34 contains a list of
items and instructions that you can use for this lab. Fill
in the IPO chart and determine whether any items are
missing from the list. Next, put the instructions in the
proper order and determine the one or more missing
instructions.

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 Lab 2-4: What’s Missing? (cont’d.)

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 Lab 2-5: Desk-Check

The algorithm in Figure 2-35 displays three

suggested amounts
to tip a waiter. Desk-check the algorithm twice. First, use
$102.50 and $5.80 as the bill amount and sales tax,
respectively. Then, use $56.78 and $2.18.

Figure 2-35
C++,IPO chart for Lab 2-5or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole
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 Lab 2-6: Debug

The algorithm below should calculate and display the average

of three numbers, but it is not working properly. In this lab,
you will find and correct the errors in the algorithm.

Figure 2-36 IPO chart for Lab 2-6

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