How can I learn to do flowcharts and pseudocode?
Posted by Martysmarties06@reddit | learnprogramming | View on Reddit | 4 comments
This semester I'm taking programming for the first time in my life. Currently we're learning about the basic stuff (functions, arrays, data and operators...). In 10 days I'll have my first mid-term. The exam will be on paper. Seeing the exercises he puts on the lab section of the lessons I think there'll be a lot of flowcharts and pseudocode (and I've noticed I quite struggle with them, especially the first one). Could u suggest me some resources? I feel stupid because I actually know all the theory stuff but whenever I do those exercises something is always off
civil_peace2022@reddit
I personally found a deck of cards a very useful prop for working through pseudo code problems.
for working through this stuff practice is what you need, you get better by doing it repeatedly, and by explaining what/how its doing to someone else or a rubber ducky/llm.
the specific problem you work through isn't really important, you just want something a little more complex than simple, so you can work through a bunch.
Build yourself a legend of the symbols used in flow charting (so you have an easy reference and use the correct symbols)
do similar for pseudo code, defining the common terms you will use
Pick your favorite llm and ask it for a bunch of exercises to flow chart and pseudocode.
do a set of 3, then go back and have a look at the first one and see if it still makes sense, or if you can improve it in various ways (removing redundant steps, increasing clarity, better names, identifying sets of operations that repeat), justify why you picked this method over another. solve it with a different sort of loop.
practice breaking problems into smaller pieces you can solve independently
TimePiccolo2565@reddit
deck of cards is actually brilliant idea for this, never thought about using physical props but makes total sense when you're trying to trace through algorithms
I struggled with flowcharts at beginning too - making your own symbol reference sheet helps so much because you stop second-guessing which shape to use. For pseudocode I found it useful to first write out the steps in plain language like you're explaining to friend, then convert that into proper pseudocode format
Okao_chris@reddit
You’re not stupid, this is just a different skill from knowing the theory.
What helped me is breaking everything into simple steps first: input -> process -> output. Once you can see that, flowcharts and pseudocode are just a way of writing those steps clearly.
Start small, don’t try to be perfect.. just focus on “what happens first, what changes, and what decision is made.” It gets easier with practice, not by overthinking it.
Due_Lock_4967@reddit
Honestly I learned flowcharts by just sketching them out on paper first, way less intimidating than trying to get it perfect digitally.
Pick something simple like a daily routine or even a recipe and map it out step by step, it clicks faster when it’s something familiar.
Pseudocode felt weird to me at first but it’s basically just writing instructions in plain language, just a bit structured.
Also yeah, repetition helps a ton.
Do you prefer visual stuff already or are you more into writing things out?