2.1 - Algorithms

2.1 - Algorithms

1. Types of sorts

   • Insertion
     • You have one ordered list and a selection of other elements.
     • Take one element at a time and compare it to the ordered list, and place in correct position.
     • REPEAT
   • Bubble
     • Moving through a list repeatedly, swapping elements that are in the wrong order. Can take a long time to do.
     • Take first 2 elements and compare.
     • Put in order and compare the second with the third.
     • REPEAT until all of the list is checked with no changes.
   • Merge
     • Option A
     • Option B

2. Flowchart Symbols

3. Keywords

   • Flowchart
     • A diagram showing inputs, outputs and processes in algorithms.
   • Pseudocode
     • Simplified programming code that isn't programming language specific that is used to design algorithms.
   • Algorithms
     • A series of steps to solve a problem or perform an action.
   • Dry Run
     • Walking through an algorithm which samples data, running each step manually.
   • Trace Table
     • A table that follows the values of variables to check for accuracy.
   • Abstraction
     • Getting rid of irrelevant detail and only focusing on the important elements.
   • Pattern recognition
     • Where you see where you can copy and paste similar code to save time and debugging.

4. Completing and Correcting algorithms

   • Correcting
     • Ensure you know what the algorithm should do.
     • Separate into smaller chunks and draft the steps that should occur.
     • Read through the algorithm and compare to your notes and correct the algorithm where they differ.
   • Completing
     • May be asked to fill in elements or just continue the algorithm.
     • Follow the same steps as correcting, but complete at the end, rather than correct.

5. Linear & Binary Search

   • Does it need to be ordered?
     • BINARY: Yes
     • LINEAR: No
   • Long search?
     • BINARY: At worst, half of values are checked.
     • LINEAR: All values may have to be checked.
   • Complex?
     • BINARY: Longer and more complex to write.
     • LINEAR: Simpler to write.

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