Pseudocode Java

In Java, a term used for programming and algorithm-based fields is referred to as pseudocode. It allows us to define the implementation of an algorithm. In simple words, we can define it as an algorithm's cooked-up representation.

In the past decade, the algorithms are defined with the help of the pseudocode as they can be interpreted by programmers, regardless of their programming background or knowledge. Pseudocode is the false code or representation of a code that even a layperson having school-level programming knowledge can understand.

Let's understand the difference between Algorithm and Pseudocode.

Algorithm

It is an organized, logical sequence of actions or attitudes towards a particular problem. In order to solve a problem, a programmer implements an algorithm. The algorithm is expressed using natural verbal but few technical observations.

Pseudocode

It is written in the form of annotations and informational text that is written in plain English only. Just like programming languages, it doesn't have any syntax, so it cannot be compiled or interpreted by the compiler.

Advantages of Pseudocode

• In order to improve the readability of any approach, pseudocode plays a very important role.
• In between the program and the algorithm, Pseudocode work as a bridge. It is treated as a document so that the developer can understand the program easily.
• Pseudocode focuses on explaining the working on each line of the program. Due to this, it is very easy for the programmer to construct the code.

Disadvantages of Pseudocode

The pseudocode also comes with disadvantages in Java. There are various disadvantages of Pseudocode in Java which are as follows:

• The visual representation of the programming code can be easily understood, and the pseudocode doesn't provide it.
• There is no well-defined format to write the pseudocode.
• There are no standards available for pseudocode. Companies use their own standards to write it.
• If we use pseudocode, we need to maintain one more document for our code.

Way to write Pseudocode in Java

In order to write the Pseudocode in Java, we have to use the following steps:

• We first need to maintain the arrangement of the sequence of the tasks and, based on that, write the pseudocode.
• The pseudocode starts with the statement that establishes the aim or goal.

Example:

Suppose we have a program that allows the user to check whether the number is Armstrong or not.

We indent the statements in the same way as the if-else, for and while loops are intended. By doing that, it is very easy to comprehend the execution mechanism and decision control.

We indent the statement in the following way:

Below are some points which we need to keep in mind while designing the pseudocode of a program in Java.

• We should have to use the appropriate naming convention. By doing that, it is very easy to understand the pseudocode. So, the naming should be simple and distinct.
• We should have to use the appropriate sentence casings. For methods, we use the CamelCase, for constants, we use the upper case, and for variables, we use the lower case.
• The pseudocode should not be abstract, and the thing which is going to happen in the actual code should be elaborated.
• We use the 'if-then, 'for', 'while', 'cases' standard programming structures in the same way as we use it in programming.
• All the sections of the pseudocode should be completed, finite and clear to understand.
• The pseudocode should be as simple as it can be understood by a layman having no sufficient knowledge of technical terms. So, we don't write the pseudocode in a complete programmatic manner.

ArmstrongNumberExample.java

The pseudocode of the above program can be written in the following way:

1. Initialize c to zero.
2. Initialize n to a random number to check Armstrong.
3. Initialize temp to n.
4. Repeat steps until the value of n are greater than zero.
5. Find a reminder of n by using n%10.
6. Remove the last digit from the number by using n/10.
7. Find the thrice of the reminder and add it to c.
8. If temp == c
   Print "Armstrong number"
9. else
   Not an Armstrong number"

The algorithm of the above program can be written in the following way:

Input the number.

1. Initialize c = 0 and temp = n.
2. Repeat until (temp != 0)
3. a = temp % 10 //remainder
4. c = c + (a * a * a)
5. temp = temp / 10
6. if (c == n)
7. Display "Armstrong number"
8. Else
9. Display "Not an Armstrong number"