Thread: Pseudocode help to understand what the question is asking

Record separation problem
Let us assume that a particular database program manages a simple mailing list which consists of one record for each person on the list, and a number of fields containing information about each person (their name, address, etc). The program can read in data produced by a word processor provided that data is structured in the following way
Each record to be read must be a single paragraph terminated by a return character, and each field within a record is separated by a tab character. For Example:

Colin Jameson|tab|33Falcon Street|tab|Waverly|tab|NSW|tab|2114|return|

Would be read as one record containing five fields. The end of the data is marked with the # (Hash) character which immediately follows the return ending the last paragraph.

Assuming that there is at least one line of valid data at the start of the input file, describe an algorithm that the program might use to read such data one character at a time and place the information into separate fields and records. The algorithm reports the number of records read when all records have been processed.

The question as said above I'm trying to understand it as to what it's asking from me is it asking for me to create a pseudocode which sorts random details into the form as shown above or to create like a database with everything sorted out? I was given a hint to use a array but I have no idea how.

Originally Posted by The Doctor

We won't do your homework for you, mate. That wouldn't help you in the long run.

I'll give you a hint: Character strings are implemented as char arrays in C. That might be what you need to know.

Check out this link for more information on how character strings are handled in the C language: C Strings - Cprogramming.com

Not asking for you to do my homework just clarify what exactly it wants me to do I know it wants me to create a code which makes it readable by the computer but I have no idea what do I do with the array hint I was given and what a array is in pseudocode.

Originally Posted by grumpy

The question actually says nothing about pseudocode.

All it is asking you to do is describe an algorithm: a sequence of steps that meet some purpose. There is not even a need to write code. The requirement is to describe the sequence of steps in enough detail, and without ambiguity. You need to provide enough information so someone could start with required inputs, and correctly produce the required results.

It doesn't say anything about it but I was told to write a algorithm in pseudocode