Problem solving process

Problem Solving Process
By: Satveer Kaur, Assistant Professor, Khalsa College, Patiala.
1

Introduction to Problem Solving
 Is a process of transforming the description of a problem into the solution by using
our knowledge of the problem domain and selecting and using appropriate
problem-solving Strategies, Techniques and Tools.
 To find a solution for a problem in programming, we need to develop programs.
 To develop a program, whether it is small or complex, a special procedure called
Program Development Life Cycle (PDLC) is required.
 A computer program is a set of instructions which is used to solve a problem.
2

Problem Solving Process
 To solve any problem in an efficient way, a programmer follows the following steps:
 Problem definition and analysis
 Program design
 Coding
 Compilation
 Debugging and testing
 Documentation
 Implementation and maintenance
3

Problem definition and analysis
 To identify and define the problem by studying it thoroughly.
 State the problem clearly and unambiguously (Doubtless) to understand exactly:
 What the problem is?
 What is needed to solve it?
 What the solution should provide?
 If there are constraints and special condition?
 The nature of the problem is fully understood.
 Analyse using the basic steps i.e. input, processing and output.
 Input: the information fed into computer to solve the problem.
 Processing: the operation to convert input to output.
 Output: the result obtained after solving problem.
 Special constraints or conditions (if any).
 Formulas and equations to be used.
4

Program design
 A programmer must have a proper understanding of the behaviour of the problem.
 To design a program, different techniques are available:
 Algorithm: a finite set of steps that specify a sequence of operations to be carried out in
order to solve a specific problem.
 Flow chart: a graph used to depict or show a step by step solution by use of symbols.
 Pseudocode: a semi-formal English-like language with limited vocabulary, used to design
and describe algorithms.
5

Coding
 After the creation of algorithms, flow charts and pseudocodes, the design must be
converted into a form used by the computer.
 A programmer translates the design into a computer program using a
programming language such as C or any other language.
 A program is written i.e. source code is ready to enter into a computer and store it
in a disk with an extension “.c”.
6

Compilation
 To translate the program into machine language using a Compiler.
 Compiler takes and process program.
 Compiler accepts source code and convert it into an object code.
 If some errors exist in the source code, then compiler prints the appropriate
messages for particular error.
7

Debugging and testing
 A bug is an error in a program.
 Process of eliminating bugs.
 Testing is done to make sure that the program is correct.
 The program performs its intended task?
 Program is executed with all the possible set of inputs whose output is already
known.
8

Documentation
 Is written text or illustration that accompanies computer program or is embedded
in the source code.
 Explains how the software operates or how to use it.
 Guidelines for creating the documentation:
 should be from the point of view of the reader.
 should be unambiguous.
 should be no repetition.
 should meet Industry standards.
 should always be updated.
9

Implementation and Maintenance
 Program is installed at the user’s site.
 If user faces some problems or errors in the program, the programmer have to
maintain and do the necessary changes to remove these errors.
 Even after completion, maintenance is regular process, so that the program must
be fulfilling all its objectives efficiently.
10

Thanks !!!!!
11

Problem solving process

More Related Content

What's hot (20)

Similar to Problem solving process (20)

More from Satveer Mann (10)

Recently uploaded (20)

Problem solving process