Certain Organisational Tools Can Help Us to Solve Problems

Lecture 2

Organising Problems

Certain organisational tools can help us to solve problems :-

1)Problem Analysis Charts – a beginning analysis of the problem

2)Structure Charts – shows the overall structure

3)IPO Chart – shows the input, the processing and the output

4)Algorithm – show the sequence of instructions comprising the solution

5)Flowcharts – graphic representations of the algorithms

These tools can be used to help make the final program more readable and efficient

Problem Analysis Chart (p41)

Good way to analyse a problem – separates the problem in 4 parts

Given Data / Required Results
Data given in the problem or provided by user
Data constants variables / Requirements to produce the output
Processing required / Solution alternatives
Lit of processing required – equations, or searching or sorting techniques / List of solution alternatives

TASK :- 1) In Pairs create a Problem analysis chart for the average problem

2) Individually – create a Problem Analysis chart for calculating the Gross pay , given the formula GrossPay = Hours * PayRate

Given Data / Required Results
Hours
Pay Rate / Gross Pay
Processing required / Solution alternatives
GrossPay = Hours * PayRate /

Define the hours worked

And pay rate as constants
2. Define the hours worked and pay rate as input values

Structure Chart (p43)

This breakdowns a complex problem into simpler tasks.

This divides your solution in modules – subtasks. Structure charts connect modules together to show the interaction of processing between the modules

Each module should contain the tasks to finish accomplish one function - .g calculating results

The control module controls the flow to other modules

KEY

Circle – iteration

Diagonal line – same module used twice

Diamond - selection

TASK – 1) in pairs draw a structure chart for the Average problem

2) draw a structure chart for the Gross pay problem

Event-driven / object-oriented programming structure chart

Before graphical user interface all solutions were procedural in nature. Solutions were developed using a Top-down method, here the program was executed form beginning to end. The user did not control the order of execution of the modules. The program was in control

In object-oriented programming – which is event driven – the user is in control. Modules are still used, within each module the execution is procedural. The difference lies in that the user decides order of execution of the module.

A structure chart for an object oriented programming solution. Show the subtask modules surrounding the control module. The subtasks modules are called when an event is initiated.

TASK – 1) In Pairs – Draw a Object oriented structure chart solution for Average

problem

2) Draw a Object oriented structure chart solution for Payroll