Subroutine and function (pseudocode)

Code pattern

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Definition

BEGIN name (parameters) ... END name. A function returns a single value with RETURN.

Example

BEGIN Add (x, y) total = x + y RETURN total END Add

Found in: syllabus, course specifications, sample exam and familiarisation guidelines, school notes, past SDD papers.

Where you'll use it in the test

Syllabus area: Code patterns.

Question types it can appear in

Pseudocode: Use it correctly in the exam pseudocode editor.
Code reading: Code or algorithm reading: interpret a fragment and state its output or purpose.
Python: Write or complete it in the online Python tool.

Where it has appeared in the paper

The Software Engineering Project (Part B). Part letters follow each paper’s own layout.

How to use it

A model sentence

General advice, built from the definition and example above

Code pattern: “BEGIN name (parameters) ...” Then apply it: BEGIN Add (x, y) total = x + y RETURN total END Add

In a short answer, give the definition in your own words first, then tie it to the situation in the question. Do not copy the example above unless it fits the scenario.

Official worked answer

Sample exam Q14 (3 marks): Algorithm design (subroutines) (3 marks): official criteria and sample answer

Criteria

3: Substantially correct pseudocode that includes at least ONE subroutine. 2: Addresses some of the requirements. 1: Some understanding of the problem.

Sample answer

BEGIN main Get num_pizzas total_cost = 0 FOR i = 1 TO num_pizzas Get pizza_size Get num_toppings cost_per_pizza = calculate_pizza_cost(pizza_size, num_toppings) DISPLAY cost_per_pizza total_cost = total_cost + cost_per_pizza NEXT i DISPLAY total_cost END main

BEGIN calculate_pizza_cost(size, num_toppings) base_price = 10 topping_price = 1.5 IF size = "Medium" THEN base_price = base_price + 2 ELSEIF size = "Large" THEN base_price = base_price + 4 ENDIF pizza_cost = base_price + num_toppings * topping_price RETURN pizza_cost END calculate_pizza_cost

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Flashcard: Subroutine and function (pseudocode) in Code Patterns: Pseudocode, Python, SQL, CSS (Years 11 and 12) · study that set
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