PROGRAM DESIGN

TOOLS

Abbeygaile Rose, Horatio Patterson,

Kenya Levy, Zavier Walters
WHAT ARE PROGRAM DESIGN TOOLS?
• Program design tools are the tools used to develop a program. During
designing a program, different tools are required to solve several
problems. Some of the frequently used tools are:
• Decision Table
• Decision Tree
• Structured English (Pseudocode)
• Algorithm
• Flowchart
 DECISION TABLE
A decision table allows an analyst to identify the exact course of action
for given condition. A decision table provides unambiguous (clear)
decisions leading to a good program design. A decision table generally
consists of two sections, namely conditions and actions.
 DECISION TREE
Decision tree is some what similar to a decision table, except that it
allows the tree structure and each node of tree denote conditions. A
decision tree is more user friendly because it provides a graphical
hierarchical diagrammatic view of the conditions and actions.
 STRUCTURED ENGLISH
(PSEUDOCODE)
The general meaning of Pseudo code is false code or fake code. Before
a real program is written, we write a program that looks like a code on
the basis of algorithm and flowchart, which may not be syntactically
correct but looks like a program code is called pseudo code. The
instruction od pseudo code is written by using English phrase and
mathematical expression. It has no hard or fast rules for writing
instruction but the instruction is closer to high level language
instructions.
 ALGORITHM
Algorithm is a sequence of instructions or step by step instruction to
find the solution of a problem. An algorithm should be simple and clear.
It must be to the point and should lead to the solution of the problem
in a finite number of steps. Each step may require one or more
operations and they must be definite, effective and finite.
An algorithm to go to the cinema to see a movie.
• Step 1: Start the program
• Step 2: Go to the cinema hall
• Step 3: Is the ticket counter open?
• Step 4: If it is not open, return home
• Step 5: If it is open, buy a ticket
• Step 6: Get into the cinema hall
• Step 7: Watch the movie
• Step 8: Return home
• Step 9: End the program
 FLOWCHART
A flowchart is a pictorial representation of an algorithm. It can also be
defined as a program planning tool for organizing a sequence of steps
necessary to solve a problem, which is shown in terms of symbols.
Flowcharts uses symbols that have geometrical shapes to indicate the
different operations. These symbols are connected by flow lines which
indicate the order of execution of the various activities. It is used by the
programmers to develop programs and by system, designers to
represent the overall system while analyzing and developing the
system. There are two types of flowchart, namely system flowchart and
program flowchart.
 SYSTEM FLOWCHART
A system flowchart describes the data flow and operations for a data
processing system. It shows how the data processing is to be
accomplished.
 PROGRAM FLOWCHART
A program flowchart describes the sequence of operations and
decisions for a particular program. It is a detailed program which is
shown in the form of pictures that shows how processing steps will be
performed within the computer to convert input data into desired
output.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SYSTEM AND
PROGRAM FLOWCHART
• A system flowchart is designed by a system designer and a program
flowchart designed by a programmer.
• A system flowchart gives a broad overview of the overall system and a
program flowchart gives a specific view of control flow program.
• A system flowchart is used to design large sized world problems and a
program flowchart is used to design small sized logical and
mathematical problems.