- 2073 Chaitra · 2 marks
Algorithm versus pseudo-code
Short answer
An algorithm is a plain‑language step‑by‑step procedure. Pseudocode uses structured keywords like IF and WHILE and indentation, making it closer to actual code while still language‑independent.
What is an algorithm and how does it differ from pseudo-code?
An algorithm is a step-by-step procedure for solving a problem, written in plain language as numbered steps. Pseudo-code is an informal, code-like description of the algorithm that uses programming constructs (IF, WHILE, END) but is not tied to any language syntax.
| Algorithm | Pseudo-code |
|---|---|
| Written in ordinary English steps | Written in structured, program-like statements |
| Steps numbered | Uses indentation and keywords such as IF, FOR, END |
| Easy for anyone to understand | Close to real code, easier to convert into a program |
| Example: "If A > B, print A" | Example: IF A > B THEN PRINT A ENDIF |
✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)
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