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Pseudocode conventions and control structure examples of: if then else, case, while, for, do while and repeat until.

Overview

No standard for pseudocode syntax exists. However, there are some commonly followed conventions to help make pseudocode written by one programmer easily understood by another programmer. Most of these conventions follow two concepts:

  • Use indentation to show the action part of a control structure
  • Use an ending phrase word to end a control structure

The sequence control structure simply lists the lines of pseudocode. The concern is not with the sequence category but with selection and two of the iteration control structures. The following are commonly used ending phrase-words:

Control Structure Ending Phrase Word
If then Else Endif
Case Endcase
While Endwhile
For Endfor

The Do While and Repeat Until iteration control structures don't need an ending phrase-word. We simply use the first word, then the action part, followed by the second word with the test expression. Here are some examples:

Selection control structures

Pseudocode: if then else

If age>17 Display a message indicating you can vote.Else Display a message indicating you can't vote.Endif

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Pseudocode: case

Case of age 0 to 17 Display "You can't vote."18 to 64 Display "You're in your working years." 65 + Display "You should be retired."Endcase

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Iteration (repetition) control structures

Pseudocode: while

count assigned zero While count<5 Display "I love computers!"Increment count Endwhile

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Pseudocode: for

For x starts at 0, x<5, increment x Display "Are we having fun?"Endfor

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Pseudocode: do while

count assigned five DoDisplay "Blast off is soon!" Decrement countWhile count>zero

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Pseudocode: repeat until

count assigned five RepeatDisplay "Blast off is soon!" Decrement countUntil count<one

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Source:  OpenStax, Programming fundamentals - a modular structured approach using c++. OpenStax CNX. Jan 10, 2013 Download for free at http://cnx.org/content/col10621/1.22
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