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Introduction
A valuable tool in a programmer’s toolbox is pseudocode. In this reading, you will learn about why you should use pseudocode, when it should be used, and how to write pseudocode.
Why should you use pseudocode?
Pseudocode is a legitimate first step when starting to devise a solution. Pseudocode is a high-level representation of ideas written in a way that looks like code. Fundamentally it can be an aid to highlight for yourself what elements a program should include.
Each line will give you a moment to pause and consider what is required to achieve a given outcome. When writing an application, a decision made in step 3 could impact how step 6 should be coded. Each stage has an element of constraint that informs how a subsequent step will be completed.
Consider that you are writing an application that must store data in step 3. You settle on an array before continuing. At step 6, you realize several lookups are required for an application. While writing pseudocode, it is easy to revisit step 3 and change the data structure to something more compatible with step 6, such as using a dictionary instead of an array. Slight changes could increase your overhead if an implementation has already begun because it alters how steps 4 and 5 operate.
