Function header in Software Development pseudocode

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

Part of: VCE Pseudo Code — Module 21, VCE Software Development - U3O1 - Programming — Module 76, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 1 — Algorithms and Programming Techniques — Module 29, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 3 — Real-World Problems and Solution Requirements — Module 76, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 4 — Complex Digital Data Exchange Problems and Solution Requirements — Module 132, WA Computer Science ATAR Year 11 — Pseudocode and Algorithm Design — Module 35, WA Computer Science ATAR Year 11 — Modular Programming — Module 9

Understanding Function header in Software Development pseudocode in VCE Pseudocode

What it does: INTEGER is one of the data types used to describe parameters and return values in a function header. The colon before STRING separates the parameter list from the function's return type.

Common mistakes: The header is missing the colon before the return type — it should read (name: STRING): STRING. Assignment in pseudocode uses ←, not <-.

Class: _____________________ · Name: _____________________ · Date: _________

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Learning

Duo

Does a function header specify the data type of each parameter?

TrueFalse

Matches

define greet(name: STRING) STRING return "Hello " + name end function

↓

The header is missing the colon before the return type

Applying

Meanings

Term

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

Meaning

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

Practice

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

Testing

Gaps

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

Check Answer

Spots

1define greet(name: STRING) STRING

2 return "Hello " + name

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Quick Questions

1. Does a function header specify the data type of each parameter?

A. True ✓

B. False

Each parameter in a function header is written with its data type, such as a: INTEGER.

2. Does a function header include the data type of its return value?

A. True ✓

B. False

The header ends with a colon followed by the return type, such as : INTEGER.

3. Should the parameters and return type be separated by a colon?

A. False

B. True ✓

A colon separates the closing bracket of the parameters from the return type.

4. Should data types like INTEGER be written in uppercase?

A. False

B. True ✓

VCAA pseudocode conventions write data types like INTEGER, REAL, STRING, and BOOLEAN in uppercase.

5. Would a function returning TRUE or FALSE use INTEGER as its return type?

A. False ✓

B. True

A function returning TRUE or FALSE should use BOOLEAN as its return type, not INTEGER.

Match the Pairs

define addNumbers(a: INTEGER, b: INTEGER): INTEGER → A function header with two integer parameters and an integer return type

: BOOLEAN → Indicates the function returns a TRUE or FALSE value

The data type describing a parameter or return value in a function header → INTEGER

A colon used just before the return type in a function header → define greet(name: STRING): STRING

define greet(name: STRING) STRING return "Hello " + name end function → The header is missing the colon before the return type

define square(num): REAL return num * num end function → The parameter num is missing its data type

Key Term

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

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

Fill in the Blanks

1. define addNumbers(a: INTEGER, b: INTEGER): INTEGER

Hint: Type the data type of the first parameter, a

2. define addNumbers(a: INTEGER, b: INTEGER): INTEGER

Hint: Type the data type of the value this function returns

3. define greet(name: STRING): STRING

Hint: Type the punctuation that separates the parameters from the return type

4. define isEven(num: INTEGER): BOOLEAN

Hint: Type the data type for a function returning TRUE or FALSE

5. define square(num: REAL): REAL

Hint: Type the colon and return type together for a function returning a real number

Spot the Error

Question 1

A define greet(name: STRING) STRING

B return "Hello " + name

C end function

Line A — The header is missing the colon before the return type — it should read (name: STRING): STRING.

Question 2

A define calculateArea(length: REAL, width: REAL): REAL

B total <- length * width

C return total

D end function

Line B — Assignment in pseudocode uses ←, not <-.

Question 3

A define addNumbers(a: INTEGER, b: INTEGER): INTEGER

B return a + b

C end func

Line C — A function definition must close with end function, not end func.

Question 4

A return num * num

B end function

C // square function

D define square(num): REAL

Line D — The parameter num is missing its data type — it should read (num: REAL).

Question 5

A define subtract(a: INTEGER, b: integer): INTEGER

B return a - b

C end function

Line A — Data types should be written in uppercase, such as INTEGER, not lowercase integer.

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