Posts by tom.t

Another good suggestion. Everyone has given me a lot to think about, and a good chance of answering the question (which will of course be different) on the exam.

Thanks for that.

I think the question is trying to get us to think about efficiency rather than correcting an error. At least, that's my guess based on the wording.

Thank you both for your suggestions. I think I was a bit thrown by the abstract nature of the question but what you both say makes sense.

Thanks very much.

Yes, I certainly did mean to validate seconds against 59.

Regarding the integer calculations, I'll have to refresh that section. I can see now that I should have used / not MOD.

I have been asked to find the inefficiency in a piece of pseducode. I've looked at it but can't see it.

IF count > 10 THEN
WHILE x < 0 DO
INPUT x
ENDWHILE
ENDIF

My understanding:
Count is evaluated. If count is <10, the app moves onto the next section. If count is > 10, X is evaluated. Until x is <0, the user will keep being prompted to input x. Once they input x>=0, the loop finishes.

Please note: this is one question on a mock test - it is the whole code. I'm supposed to find the problem with this snippet. eg. there is no mention of x being a value outside of the IF section.

I'm writing pseducode for a Java class. Obviously being pseudo the language shouldn't matter but thought I'd mention it as it would explain any 'bias' I have. BTW, this is my first programming class. I'm revising for my end of semester exam.

Write a pseudo code algorithm which will input a real number. The number represents a length of time, hh.mmss where hh=hours, mm = minutes and ss = seconds. If the input is valid then the algorithm should output the time hours, minutes and seconds.

My attempt:
MAIN
INPUT time
hours = extractHours<-time
minutes=extractMinutes<-time
seconds=extractSeconds<-time
IF (validateTime<-hours, minutes, seconds) THEN
OUTPUT hours, minutes, seconds
END IF

extractHours
hours=(int)time

extractMinutes
tempMinutes=(int)(time*100)
minutes=tempMinutes MOD 100

extractSeconds
tempSeconds=(int)(time*10000)
seconds=tempSeconds MOD 10000

validateTime
isValid=false
IF (0 <= hours <=23) AND (0<= minutes <=59) AND (0<=seconds <=60) THEN
isValid=true
END IF