2. Setting out an algorithm

Let's consider producing an algorithm for boiling an egg.

These are the steps needed :-

If this needed to be set out in a report on boiling an egg, you could simply use a list

• Fetch a saucepan
• Half Fill with water
• Place saucepan on cooker
• Apply heat to boil water
• Place egg in boiling water
• Keep boiling for 3 minutes
• Remove egg

This approach works for algorithms that have no decisions to be made, no comparisons, no branching and no calculations. In order to deal with these conditions, the more flexible 'pseudocode' method is used.