Lab01 – Program Design

Intended Learning Outcomes of this Exercise

Upon completion of this tutorial/lab, you should be able to:

o Identify inputs, outputs, and processing components from a problem description.

o Work out solution algorithm for the defined problem with sequence, selection and repetition control structures.

o Write the solution algorithm with pseudocode.

Task 1: Tutorial

Short Questions.

Task 2: Algorithms Development

Problem 1. A simple problem with only sequence

Problem 2. A problem with single selection

Problem 3. A problem with multiple selections

Problem 4. A problem with multiple selections

Problem 5. A problem with repetition

Problem 6. A challenging problem

References

1. Robertson, L.A. (2006). Simple Program Design (5 th ed.). Boyd & Fraser Publishing Company, Chapters 1-3.

This exercise is designed for two 2-hour tutorial/lab sessions!

Task 1. Tutorial (30%)

Short Questions:

1. List the seven basic steps in computer program development.

Define the problem

Outline the solution

Develop the outline into an algorithm

Test the algorithm for correctness

Code the algorithm into a targeted programming language

Run the program on the computer

Document and maintain the program

2. What are the inputs and outputs of the following problems?

a. Calculating the area of a triangle

input: the height and the length of the triangle

output: the area of a triangle

b. Calculating the solution(s) of a quadratic equation in form

input: ax²+bx+c , where input the value of a , b and c.

output: the solution(s) of a quadratic equation

c. Measuring the distance of two cities on Earth

input: A’cities

output: the value which is the distance of two cities on Earth

d. A stop-watch

input: stating time when click ‘start’

output: Cumulative counting time result

e. Generating a random number between 0.0000 to 1.0000

input: 0.0000 and 1.0000

output: A random number drawn between 0.0000 and 1.0000

3. What are the two main advantages in using meaningful names for variables, e.g.

intStudentAge, dblHeight, strAddress, etc.?

Easy to editing the code and

     

4. Determine the most suitable data types and give good names for the following variables. ( any reasonable answer ?)

a. A student’s English name

Datatype:

VariableName: stuname

b. The examination mark of a student for the “Introduction to Programming” module

Datatype:

VariableName: Itpmarks

c. A student identification card number for an XYZ's school student

Datatype:

VariableName: XYZstuid

d. The total number of items in a box

Datatype:

VariableName: totalnuminbox

5. List the major steps in algorithm development.

 Datatype:

VariableName: majstepofalogdev

Task 2. Algorithms Development (70%)

Problem 1. Units Conversion

A program is designed to convert a length in inches to centimeters (1 inch = 2.54 cm). Design an algorithm in pseudocode to solve the problem.

DISPLAY “Please enter the length”

GET douLength

douLength ← douLength * 2.54

DISPLAY douLength

Problem 2. Direction of a Street in New York City

In New York City (NYC), even numbered streets are eastbound, odd numbered streets are westbound. Given a street number of a street in NYC, decide the direction of the street, either eastbound or westbound. Design an algorithm in pseudocode for the problem.

DISPLAY “Please enter the Street Number”

Get douStnu

IF doustnu / 2

Problem 3. Converting a Mark into a Grade

A program is designed to convert an examination mark (0-100) to a grade (A-F) based on the following table. Design an algorithm in pseudocode to solve the problem.

Mark 0-59 60-69 70-79 80-89 otherwise

Grade F D C B A

     

Problem 4. Calculating Parking Fee

A program is used to calculate the parking fee based on the type of vehicle and the hours a vehicle

spent in a car park. The program should calculate the parking fee according to the following table.

Design an algorithm in pseudocode to solve the problem.

Type of vehicle Duration (hours) Charge rate ($/hour) Parking fee ($)

Car 2.8 15 45

Bus 3.0 30 90

Truck 4.1 40 200

     

Problem 5. Displaying a Number of ‘*’

A program is used to prompt user a positive integer number (n) and then display n ‘*’ on the screen

(see below). Design an algorithm in pseudocode for the program.

Please input a positive integer: 5

*****

     

Problem 6. Maximizing Photos Printing

Given the width and length of a piece of rectangular photo paper, determine the maximum number of

small-size rectangular photos can be printed on it. (Hints: All small-size photos are arranged in

either portrait or landscape).

Portrait arrangement

Landscape arrangement

     

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