7 · Lesson 2 of 8
Algorithms, flowcharts and pseudocode
Syllabus 7.2Syllabus 7.3
What this lesson covers
- Understand systems and sub-systems, and decompose a problem into inputs, processes, outputs and storage
- Explain the purpose of a given algorithm
Key vocabulary
- Algorithm
- A precise set of step-by-step instructions for solving a problem.
- Flowchart
- A diagram showing an algorithm's steps as symbols joined by arrows.
- Terminator
- The flowchart symbol for START and STOP.
- Process
- The flowchart symbol for a calculation or assignment.
- Decision
- The diamond flowchart symbol, with Yes and No exits.
- Input/output
- The parallelogram flowchart symbol.
- Pseudocode
- Structured, code-like text that describes an algorithm.
- Purpose of an algorithm
- What the algorithm achieves overall.
Check your learning
- Quick check: 4 questions
- Key vocabulary test: 8 terms
- Activity 1: Flowchart symbols · 5 questions
- Activity 2: Follow the flowchart · 5 questions
- Activity 3: Algorithms quiz · 8 questions