Algorithm for writing an Algorithm

• Know the primitives for the computing agent that will be used to solve the problem.
• Read the Problem carefully so that you understand what is being asked.
• Work out several concrete examples of the problem by hand using mathematical and logical primitives.
• By working out several examples of the problem by hand you will be able to establish the sequence for carrying out the primitives. This is the all important process of abstraction where we observe the patterns involved in solving a problem and code the sequence as an abstract algorithm.
• If there are parts of the sequence that are repeated then use a repeat loop around the repeated parts.
• If there are parts of the sequence that are conditionally done, then set up an if - then - else construct.
• If a series of items have the same actions performed on them, they can be represented symbolically as subscripted variables and the actions can be specified in a loop with an index variable used to specify which variable is being acted upon.

Complete Sample Algorithm