Challenge (Assignment)

Quick Index

Overview
Objective
Instructions
Problem 1 - Write Algorithm 'Make Toast'
Problem 2 - Write Algorithm 'Make Tomato Sandwiches'
Problem 3 - Write Algorithm 'Make Zip File'
Submitting

In this challenge, you are given three problems. You choose one of the three and complete that problem.

Before starting, it is helpful to work through this chapter's examples.

Objective

Get some exercise writing algroithms

Instructions

Make a new working directory on your computer named "Algorithms".

Choose one of problem 1, problem 2 and problem 3 (described below).

In directory "Algorithms", create one new file that corresponds to the problem you choose:

MakeToast.txt (if you choose Problem #1)
MakeTomatoSandwiches.txt (if you choose Problem #2)
MakeZipFile.txt (if you choose Problem #3)

NOTE WELL -- these files are plain text files (with extension ".txt"). They are not formatted files.

Put your work for the problem into the corresponding .txt file (that you just created).

It is a good idea to validate your algorithm solution. You can do this by "walking through" the solution and re-checking it.

There is [no] program compiling or program running involved in this challenge.

Problem 1 - Write Algorithm 'Make Toast'

Problem Statement:

Write an algorithm to make buttered toast
Prepare the toast on a plate on the kitchen counter and finish by putting the plate onto the kitchen table
The algorithm should include washing hands

Your Algorithm Reader:

Your target audience (reader) of your algorithm has no idea how to make toast -- they need your instructions

Given:

We have a clean kitchen with all the necessary dishes, utensils, equipment, and ingredients
Counter is initially clear (nothing on it)
Food items are all in closed containers
Cleanup steps do not need to be included
We'll define toast as one slice of bread, toasted in a toaster, and buttered on one side (upward side)
Assume toaster has push "down lever" to start it

Notes

Write the algorithm(steps), in human language (English)
You may say "repeat previous step" (if it is applicable to do so)

To help get started, here are some example steps you might insert somewhere into your algorithm (consider each example step independently -- not as a group):

Find loaf of bread container/bag and put on counter
Insert bread slice into toaster

Problem 2 - Write Algorithm 'Make Tomato Sandwiches'

Problem Statement

Write an algorithm to make two tomato sandwiches
Serve one sandwich each to two aunties, who are sitting at the kitchen table

Note: we define a tomato sandwich as two slices bread (toasted) with inward sides of bread buttered. The sandwich contains two slices of tomato, each with a touch of pepper.

Your Algorithm Reader:

Your target audience (reader) of your algorithm has no idea how to make tomato sandwiches -- they need your instructions

Given

We have a clean kitchen with all the necessary dishes, utensils, and ingredients
Counter is initially clear (nothing on it). Food items are all in closed containers
All cooking (preparing) must be done on the counter
We have a counter with sufficient space and our uncle is present who will act as the gopher (to get all the items)
The bread is in a closed container or bag
The algo does not need to include cleanup

Notes

Write the algorithm(steps), in human language (English)
You may say "repeat previous step" (if it is applicable to do so)

Hint -- assume that we have another (existing) algorithm available called "Make Toast" that will do the work for us of making toast (and buttering bread) and you can simply say something like this:

Call algorithm "Make Toast"

"Make Toast" gives us one slice of bread to us (toasted and buttered). Cconsider calling it multiple times -- if needed.

To help get started, here are some example steps you might insert somewhere into your algorithm (consider each example step independently -- not as a group):

Ask uncle for a large cutting board
Ask uncle for two large plates
Ask uncle for a serrated knife
Ask uncle for a butter knife

Problem 3 - Write Algorithm 'Make Zip File'

Problem Statement

Note -- assume no windows are open in the operating system (os) to start
Create ZIP archive file "myFiles.zip" in directory "\myFiles" (i.e., directory "myFiles" should be under os root directory)
The ZIP archive file should contain two files "a.txt" and "b.txt"
The file "a.txt" should contain the text "I am A"
The file "b.txt" should contain the text "I am B"

Your Algorithm Reader:

Your target audience (reader) of your algorithm has no idea how to add a computer directory -- they need your instructions

Given

Assume none of the files/directories exist before starting

First Set of Available Tools:

We can open a "file browser" as our main tool
You may say "repeat previous step" (if it is applicable to do so)
We can navigate to any existing directory which will then be our "current directory"

Second Set of Available Tools (these are the commands we have available -- all of these commands are in the "file browser" and apply to the current directory and are available via the "popup" or "right click" menu):

Popup Menu -- Create Directory -- prompts for a name, and then adds new directory
Popup Menu -- Create File -- prompts for a name, and then adds new file
With one .txt file selected -- Popup Menu -- Edit File -- opens a text file in an editor. When done you can do the "close action" on the editor, and the editor will then prompt you -- yes/no confirming to keep changes.
With one or more files and/or sub-directories selected -- Popup Menu -- Create ZIP -- prompts for a name, and then creates a ZIP file containing the selected files/dirs.

Notes:

This is just like problem #1 and #2 in that you only need to write instructions (an algorithm) to do this task -- you do not actually need to create directories, files and a zip (although "walking thru" the instructions when done is a good idea for practice).
Make the steps operating system independent -- e.g., no Windows/Mac specific commands. Use commands from above-mentioned "popup".
Write the algorithm(steps), in human language (English)
All prompts can be finished by pressing the "Enter key" unless otherwise noted

To help get started, here are some example steps you might insert somewhere into your algorithm (consider each example step independently -- not as a group):

Right click in file browser
Enter text "I am B"
Close editor

Submitting

Submitting

Algorithms (Chapter 101 - Introduction to Algorithms)

Chapter 101 - Introduction to Algorithms Challenge (Assignment)

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