A pseudocode can be used in the instance prior to programming software.
Before entering fully into establishing the meaning of the term pseudocode , it is necessary that we proceed to determine the etymological origin of the two words that give it shape:
-Pseudo derives from the Greek, from “pseudo”, which can be translated as “false”.
-Code, for its part, emanates from Latin. Specifically, “codices, codex” that were used to refer to the documents or books where the Romans had each and every one of their laws written.
Our language appeals to various compositional elements to form words. One of the most common is pseudo or pseudo , which refers to the fact that something is not original , but is false or an imitation .
A code , for its part, is a series of symbols that are part of a system and that have a certain value already assigned. The symbols included in a code are combined respecting rules and allow a message to be transmitted.
What is pseudocode
These definitions allow us to understand what a pseudocode is, a notion that is used in the field of computing . It is a false language , since it appeals to the structure rules of a programming language although it is developed so that it can be read by a human being and not interpreted by a machine.
The pseudocode, in this sense, is considered as a description of an algorithm that is independent of other programming languages . In order for a person to be able to read and interpret the code in question, various data that is not key to its understanding is excluded.
A pseudocode, therefore, is used when it is intended to describe an algorithm without the need to disseminate what its basic principles are. In this way, a human being will find it easier to understand the message , unlike what would happen if they were faced with a real programming language.
A pseudocode allows you to describe an algorithm.
Creation process
When creating pseudocode, it is necessary that its structure be composed of the following parts:
-A header, which, in turn, must be made up of five different areas such as the program, the module, the data types, the constants and the variables.
-The body, which will be divided into beginning, instructions and end.
The characteristics of a pseudocode
In addition to everything stated above, it is important to establish another series of data of interest related to any pseudocode:
-It must be able to run on any computer.
-It has nothing to do with the programming language that will be used later, that is, it is independent of it.
-It has to be easy to use and also to manipulate.
-It must allow the descriptions of various types of instructions to be undertaken, such as process, control, description, primitive or compound.
-When developing the creation of the aforementioned pseudocode, it must be taken into account that various types of control structures will be used. Specifically, we can say that they are of three kinds: selective, sequential and iterative.
These characteristics mean that pseudocodes are used in scientific and educational works and in the stages prior to the development of software , in the manner of a sketch before proceeding to programming.