For Dummies Beginning Programming with C++ 978-0-470-61797-7 User Manual
Product codes
978-0-470-61797-7
12
Part I: Let’s Get Started
As detailed as these instructions might seem to be, this is not a program.
This is called an algorithm. An algorithm is a description of the steps to be
performed, usually at a high level of abstraction. An algorithm is detailed but
general. I could use this algorithm to repair any of the flat tires that I have
experienced or ever will experience. But an algorithm does not contain suf-
ficient detail for even our intentionally obtuse human computer to perform
the task.
This is called an algorithm. An algorithm is a description of the steps to be
performed, usually at a high level of abstraction. An algorithm is detailed but
general. I could use this algorithm to repair any of the flat tires that I have
experienced or ever will experience. But an algorithm does not contain suf-
ficient detail for even our intentionally obtuse human computer to perform
the task.
The Tire Changing Language
Before we can write a program, we need a language that we can all agree on.
For the remainder of this book, that language will be C++, but I use the newly
invented TCL (Tire Changing Language) for this example. I have specifically
adapted TCL to the problem of changing tires.
For the remainder of this book, that language will be C++, but I use the newly
invented TCL (Tire Changing Language) for this example. I have specifically
adapted TCL to the problem of changing tires.
TCL includes a few nouns common in the tire-changing world:
✓
car
✓
tire
✓
nut
✓
jack
✓
toolbox
✓
spare tire
✓
wrench
TCL also includes the following verbs:
✓
grab
✓
move
✓
release
✓
turn
Finally, the TCL-executing processor will need the ability to count and to
make simple decisions.
make simple decisions.
This is all that the tire-changing robot understands. Any other command
that’s not part of Tire Changing Language generates a blank stare of incom-
prehension from the human tire-changing processor.
that’s not part of Tire Changing Language generates a blank stare of incom-
prehension from the human tire-changing processor.
05_617977-ch01.indd 12
05_617977-ch01.indd 12
7/6/10 11:38 PM
7/6/10 11:38 PM