← VCE Software Development U3O2

Writing pseudocode from an IPO chart

Turn each IPO input into an INPUT statement, each process into assignments or IF selection, and each output into a PRINT statement, in that order.

Part of: VCE Software Development - U3O2 - Analysis and Design — Module 102, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 1 — Algorithms and Programming Techniques — Module 19, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 1 — Programmed Solutions — Module 6, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 2 — Data-Driven Problems and Solution Requirements — Module 110, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 2 — Data and Programming Techniques — Module 144, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 2 — Prototype Data Solutions — Module 54, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 3 — Real-World Problems and Solution Requirements — Module 77, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 4 — Complex Digital Data Exchange Problems and Solution Requirements — Module 136, WA Computer Science ATAR Year 11 — Pseudocode and Algorithm Design — Module 38, WA Computer Science ATAR Year 11 — Modular Programming — Module 70

Understanding Writing pseudocode from an IPO chart in VCE Software Development U3O2

What it does: An IPO process such as 'calculate total cost' is written as an assignment statement that stores the result in a variable. Each IPO input becomes an INPUT statement. PRINT is for outputs. A calculation in the process column becomes an assignment. INPUT would ask the user for the value instead of calculating it. Data must be input before it can be processed, and processed before the result is output. A process that makes a decision becomes an IF selection. The ≥ symbol is typed as >=. Pseudocode should follow the IPO chart order: INPUT first, then the processing, then PRINT.

Common mistakes: The process is an assignment, so the variable being set goes on the left of the arrow. It should be total ← price * quantity. An IF selection needs the keyword THEN after the condition. It should be IF mark >= 50 THEN.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 86–109) and word search (Modules 86–119).

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Learning
Duo
An IPO chart lists the input 'hourly rate'. Which pseudocode line turns it into code?
PRINT rateINPUT rate
Matches
PRINT total total ← price * quantity INPUT price, quantity
↓
The statements are in the wrong order. The output is printed before the inputs are read and the process is done.
Applying
Meanings
Term
IPO to pseudocode
Meaning
Turn each IPO input into an INPUT statement, each process into assignments or IF selection, and each output into a PRINT statement, in that order.
Practice
INPUT mark
Testing
Gaps
price
Check Answer
Spots
2INPUT quantity
3price * quantity ← total

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Quick Questions

1. An IPO chart lists the input 'hourly rate'. Which pseudocode line turns it into code?
A. PRINT rate
B. INPUT rate ✓
Each IPO input becomes an INPUT statement. PRINT is for outputs.
2. The IPO process column says 'total is price multiplied by quantity'. Which line does this?
A. total ← price * quantity ✓
B. INPUT total
A calculation in the process column becomes an assignment. INPUT would ask the user for the value instead of calculating it.
3. The IPO output column says 'display the total'. Which line matches?
A. total ← INPUT
B. PRINT total ✓
Each output in the IPO chart becomes a PRINT statement.
4. In which order should the pseudocode follow the IPO chart?
A. INPUT, then process, then PRINT ✓
B. PRINT, then process, then INPUT
Data must be input before it can be processed, and processed before the result is output.
5. The process column says 'if mark is 50 or more the result is Pass, otherwise Fail'. Which pseudocode fits?
A. IF mark >= 50 THEN result ← "Pass" ELSE result ← "Fail" END IF ✓
B. INPUT mark >= 50
A process that makes a decision becomes an IF selection. The ≥ symbol is typed as >=.

Match the Pairs

INPUT mark → Turns an IPO input (a mark entered by the user) into an input statement that stores it in a variable
PRINT result → Turns an IPO output (the result shown to the user) into a print statement
A process that calculates a value becomes an assignment using the arrow → total ← price * quantity
A process that makes a decision becomes an IF selection → IF mark >= 50 THEN result ← "Pass" ELSE result ← "Fail" END IF
PRINT total total ← price * quantity INPUT price, quantity → The statements are in the wrong order. The output is printed before the inputs are read and the process is done.
INPUT price price * 2 ← total PRINT total → The assignment is written backwards. The variable being assigned must be on the left of the arrow.

Key Term

IPO to pseudocode
Turn each IPO input into an INPUT statement, each process into assignments or IF selection, and each output into a PRINT statement, in that order.

Fill in the Blanks

1. INPUT price
Hint: Type the keyword that reads an IPO chart input into a variable.
2. INPUT price INPUT qty total ← price * qty
Hint: Type the assignment symbol that stores the result of the process in the variable total.
3. IF mark >= 50 THEN PRINT "Pass" ENDIF
Hint: Type the selection keyword that follows the condition and starts the block that runs when it is true.
4. INPUT total PRINT total
Hint: Type the keyword that displays an IPO chart output to the user.
5. INPUT radius area ← 3.14 * radius * radius PRINT area
Hint: Type the variable that holds the process result, which is the output on the IPO chart.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A INPUT price
B INPUT quantity
C price * quantity ← total
D PRINT total
Line C — The process is an assignment, so the variable being set goes on the left of the arrow. It should be total ← price * quantity.
Question 2
A INPUT mark
B IF mark >= 50
C PRINT "Pass"
D ELSE
E PRINT "Fail"
F END IF
Line B — An IF selection needs the keyword THEN after the condition. It should be IF mark >= 50 THEN.
Question 3
A INPUT length
B INPUT width
C area ← length * width
D INPUT area
Line D — The IPO chart lists area as an output, so it needs a PRINT statement. INPUT is only for values the user supplies. It should be PRINT area.
Question 4
A INPUT c
B f ← c * 9 / 5 + 32
C PRINT "f"
Line C — Quotes make PRINT show the letter f as text. To output the calculated value, print the variable without quotes: PRINT f.
Question 5
A PRINT hours
B pay ← hours * 30
C PRINT pay
Line A — hours is an input in the IPO chart, so it must be read with INPUT. PRINT would just display a value that has not been entered yet. It should be INPUT hours.

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