- Apply the three core planning tools (IPO Chart, Pseudocode, Flowchart) to a problem.
- Create a clear, logical, and sequential algorithm as a plan for a program.
- Demonstrate your understanding of the "Design" phase of the SDLC.
Assignment: Algorithm Design Task (5%)
Important Note: You will write NO PYTHON CODE for this assignment. The goal is not to create a working program, but to create a high-quality plan for a program using the design tools we have learned.
The Problem
You need to design a simple program that calculates the final cost of an item at a retail store. The program must ask the user for two things: the item's price and the quantity they are buying. It should then calculate the subtotal, apply a 13% sales tax (HST), and display the final total cost to the user.
Your Deliverable: A Single Document
You will submit a single document (e.g., a Google Doc, Word file, or PDF) that contains the following three sections in order:
Part 1: The IPO Chart
A three-column chart that clearly lists the required Input, the necessary Process, and the final Output for the program.
Part 2: The Pseudocode
A step-by-step, text-based recipe for the program's logic. Use clear, simple language (e.g., GET, CALCULATE, DISPLAY).
Part 3: The Flowchart
A visual diagram of the program's logic using the correct symbols for Start/End, Input/Output, and Process, connected by flow lines.
Tools You Can Use
- For the Flowchart: You can use simple tools like the "Shapes" tool in Google Docs/Slides, or a free online diagramming tool like diagrams.net (formerly draw.io). You are also welcome to draw it neatly by hand and include a clear picture of it in your document.
Submission
When you are finished, submit your single document to the "Unit 2 Algorithm Design Task" Assignment folder in D2L.
Take your time to think about the order of operations. What needs to be calculated first? (Hint: You can't calculate the tax until you know the subtotal). This kind of logical thinking is the core of programming.