Algorithms
An algorithm is a set of steps designed to solve a specific problem. An example is an algorithm that sorts a list of items into alphabetical order. The flowchart is a tool that is used by many people to plan algorithms.
Flowcharts
A range of different symbols is used in flowcharts; each has a different meaning. The table below summarises the most common symbols:
| Name | Symbol | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Start/Stop |  |
The start or end of the program. There may be more than one way to complete the algorithm and there may be more than one end box. |
| Process |  |
A process that is doing something, for example calculating something. |
| Input/Output |  |
An input or output, for example: Input num1 |
| Decision |  |
A decision, YES or NO, or a choice of paths, for example: Is it a weekday? |
The algorithm in the example flowchart shown below asks the user to input two numbers, adds them together and outputs the result.
