Why You Need To Be Writing Pseudocode

What is it?

In it’s purest form, pseudocode is the plain language description of an algorithm or another system. It should be able to be understood by someone with just minimal knowledge of computer programming, even a layman. It is used by countless programmers around the world.

What are the Advantages?

• Pseudocode massively improves the readability of an approach to a problem, allowing you to visualize the solution much easier.
• Works as rough documentation for the program and can be saved once the pseudocode is done away with for real code.
• Since, pseudocode works line by line, you have a much easier time working in the code construction phase.
• Can be created using any word processor or can even be written by hand.
• Can be converted to real code easily.

Disadvantages?

• It takes a fair amount of time to lay down good pseudocode
• It is not visual, unlike a flow chart
• No standardized style or format

How do you write it?

It is easy to get started. First, you want to start with a general statement of what the program/script is trying to accomplish.

After that it’s pretty much free game for you. Here’s how I go about writing some pseudocode for a simple projectile script

You don’t have to write the methods out if you don’t want to, I just find it helpful for me.

Pseudocode is amazing once you start using it every time to are going to code something substantial. It really does help kickstart that code organization and helps you think from a more zoomed out perspective. Use it!