The Benefits of Pseudocoding

As a new programmer, it has been extremely beneficial for me to write the steps I need to take to figure out a bug while coding. Similarly, when reading other programmers’ coding, I’ve found that a brief explanation of their code has helped me comprehend the steps they took to get to the solution. This technique is called pseudocoding and every programmer can learn to do it!

What is pseudocode?

According to Wikipedia, Pseudocode is an informal high-level description of the operating principle of a computer program or other algorithm. It uses the structural conventions of a normal programming language but is intended for human reading rather than machine reading.

Simply put, pseudocode is written English that should be directly translatable to your code. It has no syntax like any of the programming languages and thus can’t be compiled or interpreted by the computer. Basically, Pseudocode is a series of instructions, that provides structure to what you will be programming and how to do it. It is like explaining what you are trying to program without using programming terms.

Here are some benefits of using pseudocode:

1. Pseudocode allows developers to properly allocate their time on a project and streamline the product development phase.
2. Pseudocode increases efficiency in a project’s development process. Projects can be developed quickly and thoroughly through pseudocode.
3. Since pseudocode is language-independent it can be used by most programmers.
4. Programmers do not have to think about syntax, we simply have to concentrate on the underline logic. The focus is on the steps to solve a problem rather than how to use the computer language.
5. It is easier to develop a program from pseudocode compared to the flow chart. Unlike flow charts, pseudocode is at and does not tend to run over many pages. Its simple structure and readability make it easier to modify.