Pseudocode is used to describe an algorithm in a way that is not specific to any one programming language. Some pseudocodes are relatively simple:
IF BankBalance < 0 THEN
Display overdrawn message
ELSE
Display not yet in debt message
ENDIF
Some pseudocodes follow a detailed set of conventions and use specialist symbols – and may not use monospace fonts:
for i ← 1 to n do
⋮ ▷ the body of the loop goes here
end for
[Reserved words are written in bold, variables in italic; the leftwards arrow is used for assignment, and the rightwards triangle, like a flag, indicates a comment.]
Find and follow the pseudocode conventions of the publication you are writing for. See Computing style resources.
