7.1
Program Development Life Cycle
Understand the stages used to plan, design, develop, test and improve a computer solution.
🧩 Topic 7
Algorithm Design & Problem-Solving
Learn how programmers understand problems, break them into manageable parts, design clear algorithms, test solutions and apply searching and sorting techniques.
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Follow the sequence or jump directly to the algorithm design skill you need.
7.2
Analysis Stage
Identify the purpose, inputs, processes, outputs and requirements before designing a solution.
7.3
Decomposition
Break a large problem into smaller, manageable sub-problems that can be solved one at a time.
7.4
Structure Diagrams
Show how a complex problem can be divided into connected modules using a clear hierarchy.
7.5
Flowcharts
Use standard symbols and arrows to represent the order, decisions and repetition in an algorithm.
7.6
Pseudocode
Write language-independent instructions that communicate an algorithm clearly before coding begins.
7.7
Validation, Verification and Test Data
Check that data is sensible and accurate, then use normal, abnormal and extreme test data.
7.8
Trace Tables
Follow an algorithm step by step and record how variables and outputs change during execution.
7.9
Linear Search
Understand how a list is checked one item at a time until the target value is found.
7.10
Bubble Sort
Follow repeated comparisons and swaps to place values into the correct order.