Understanding Decision-Making in Algorithms
- Decision-making is a fundamental aspect of programming that involves choosing between different actions based on specific conditions.
- It allows algorithms to adapt to varying inputs and scenarios, making them more flexible and efficient.
Formally, it is called selection.
Analogy- Think of decision-making in algorithms like choosing a route on a GPS.
- The system evaluates traffic conditions and suggests the best path, adapting in real-time to changes.
When Is Decision-Making Required?
- Conditional logic: When an algorithm needs to perform different actions based on specific conditions.
- Alternative procedures: When multiple paths or solutions exist, the algorithm must choose the most appropriate one.
- Error handling: When unexpected inputs or situations require special handling to prevent failures.
- When analysing a problem, look for keywords like "if," "when," or "unless."
- These often indicate decision points in the algorithm.
- Consider a program that solves quadratic equations.
- Decision-making is required to handle different cases based on the discriminant ($D$):
- If $D > 0$: Two real solutions.
- If $D = 0$: One real solution.
- If $D < 0$: No real solutions.
Practical Guide to Constructing Conditions
- Conditions are Boolean expressions that evaluate to either true or false.
