Editing Pseudocode (section)

{{Short description|Description of an algorithm that resembles a computer program}}
{{Distinguish|Generic programming}}
{{more citations needed|date=August 2016}}
In [[computer science]], '''pseudocode''' is a description of the steps in an [[algorithm]] using a mix of conventions of [[programming languages]] (like [[assignment operator]], [[conditional operator]], [[loop (computing)|loop]]) with informal, usually self-explanatory, notation of actions and conditions.{{sfn|Reisig|2007|p=23|loc=Pseudocode Programs and Their Semantics}}<ref>An often-repeated definition of pseudocode since at least 2003 is "a detailed yet readable description of what a computer program or algorithm must do, expressed in a formally-styled natural language"</ref> Although pseudocode shares features with regular [[programming languages]], it is intended for [[human]] reading rather than machine control. Pseudocode typically omits details that are essential for machine implementation of the algorithm, meaning that pseudocode can only be verified by hand.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Ulate-Caballero |first1=Bryan Alexander |last2=Berrocal-Rojas |first2=Allan |last3=Hidalgo-Céspedes |first3=Jeisson |chapter=Concurrent and Distributed Pseudocode: A Systematic Literature Review |title=2021 XLVII Latin American Computing Conference (CLEI) |date=2021 |pages=1–10 |doi=10.1109/CLEI53233.2021.9640222|isbn=978-1-6654-9503-5 }}</ref> The programming language is [[augmented cognition|augment]]ed with [[natural language]] description details, where convenient, or with compact [[mathematical notation]]. The reasons for using pseudocode are that it is easier for people to understand than conventional programming language code and that it is an efficient and environment-independent description of the key principles of an algorithm. It is commonly used in textbooks and [[scientific publications]] to document algorithms and in planning of software and other algorithms.

No broad standard for pseudocode [[Syntax (programming languages)|syntax]] exists, as a program in pseudocode is not an executable program; however, certain limited standards exist (such as for academic assessment). Pseudocode resembles [[Skeleton (computer programming)|skeleton programs]], which can be [[compiler|compiled]] without errors. [[Flowchart]]s, [[DRAKON|drakon-charts]] and [[Unified Modeling Language|Unified Modelling Language]] (UML) charts can be thought of as a graphical alternative to pseudocode, but need more space on paper. Languages such as <span class="plainlinks">[[HAGGIS]]</span> bridge the gap between pseudocode and code written in programming languages.