Fundamental Data Compression

Appendix D

Pseudocode notation

Pseudocode is merely a convenient way to describe and convey algorithmic ideas. It would not be a big problem if you just use any ad hoc language as long as the algorithmic idea is clear. However, one useful function of pseudocode is that it can serve as a bridge or a translator to convert an algorithm to a source code of a computer program. So an ideal pseudocode would be close enough in syntax to a conventional computer language.

In this book, we use a hybrid of adopted keywords and syntax from several commonly used high-level sequential computer languages. Of course, the user can extend the pseudocode vocabulary by adding more useful terms, function names etc.

D.1 Values

• 0, 1, …, 9

• fraction, rational ...