Pseudocode facts for kids

Pseudocode (sometimes written as pseudo-code) is a description of the source code of a computer program or an algorithm in a language easily understood by humans.

It uses the general structure of a computer programming language, but omits details that are required by machines to execute the code. The primary purpose of writing pseudocode is to enable humans to understand the computer program or algorithm without having to understand the programming language.

Syntax

Pseudocode does not follow the syntax and grammar of any specific computer programming language. Variable declarations are generally omitted. Function calls and blocks of code, such as code for a loop, are often replaced by a one-line natural language sentence.

Examples

FOR I FROM 1 TO 50:
    PRINT I

Reads the for loop and prints all the integers from 1 to 50.

SET X = 1
FOR I FROM 1 TO 16:
    PRINT X
    SET X = X * 2

This pseudocode outputs powers of two.

define AND(A, B) do
    if A then
        return B
    endif
    return 0
end define

The above pseudocode sample computes a logical and function.

See also

In Spanish: Pseudocódigo para niños