VCE Pseudo Code Hangman

The 25 key terms

1pseudocode

A way of writing algorithms using plain English and common symbols without the rules of any specific programming language, used to plan logic before coding begins

2end if

A closing keyword in VCAA pseudocode that ends an if block; every nested construct uses end followed by its matching keyword: end if, end while, end for

4input

A VCAA pseudocode keyword that accepts a value from the user and stores it in a named variable. Example: input age stores the user's entered value in the variable age

5print

A VCAA pseudocode keyword that outputs a value, variable or expression as a result. Example: print area displays the current value stored in the variable area

6Algorithm:

The required header keyword that names a VCAA maths pseudocode algorithm. Written as Algorithm: followed by a descriptive name, it must appear as the first line before input or processing

7MOD

The pseudocode operator that returns the remainder after integer division. Example: 10 MOD 3 gives 1 because 10 divided by 3 is 3 remainder 1

9AND

A VCAA pseudocode boolean operator that combines two conditions. The overall result is true only when BOTH conditions are true. Example: x > 0 AND x < 10

11IF-THEN-ELSE

A selection structure that runs one set of instructions if a condition is true, and a different set if it is false

12ELSE IF

A keyword that adds another condition to check if the previous IF or ELSE IF condition was false

13FOR i FROM 1 TO n

A loop that repeats its instructions a fixed number of times, counting the variable i from 1 up to n

14Nested FOR loop

A FOR loop placed entirely inside another FOR loop, so the inner loop runs fully for every repetition of the outer loop

15WHILE condition DO

A loop that repeats its instructions for as long as the given condition remains true, checked before each repetition

16REPEAT ... UNTIL condition

A loop that repeats its instructions and checks the condition after each repetition, so the body always runs at least once

17Mixed iteration

Nesting one loop type inside a different loop type, such as a FOR loop inside a WHILE loop

18define

A keyword that starts a function definition, naming the function and listing the parameters it accepts

19return

A keyword that sends a value back from a function to where it was called, ending the function's execution at that point

20addNumbers(3, 4)

Calling a function by writing its name followed by arguments in brackets, running its instructions and possibly producing a value

21addNumbers(a: INTEGER, b: INTEGER): INTEGER

A function header specifying the function's name, its typed parameters, and the data type of its return value

22scores[1]

Accesses the array element at index 1, using square brackets to specify the position.

23student.name

Accesses the name field of the student record, using a dot to connect the record to its field.

24Linear Search

An algorithm that checks each element in an array one at a time, from the start, until the target is found or the end is reached.

25Binary Search

An algorithm that repeatedly halves a sorted array to quickly find a target value.

26Selection Sort

An algorithm that repeatedly finds the smallest remaining element and swaps it into its correct position.

27Trace table

A table that records the value of each variable at every step of an algorithm, used to check its logic by hand.

28Execution order

The exact sequence in which an algorithm's lines run, followed step by step to trace its behaviour.