Introduction to structured programming: Everything you need to know

Structured programming is one of the fundamental bases in the world of computing. If you are interested in learning to program or simply want to understand how the programs you use every day work, this article is perfect for you. In this guide, we will explain the basic concepts of structured programming and give you the necessary tools to start developing your own programs in an efficient and organized way. Do not miss it!

What are the 4 structures of programming

Introduction to structured programming: Everything you need to know

Structured programming is a programming paradigm that is based on the logical and orderly organization of code. To achieve this, a series of structures are used to control the flow of program execution. In this article, we are going to explore the four main frameworks of structured programming.

1. Sequence:
The sequence structure is the most basic and fundamental in programming. It consists of the sequential execution of a series of instructions, that is, one after the other. This structure allows the program to be executed step by step, following a logical order. For example:

"`
Instruction 1
Instruction 2
Instruction 3
"`

2. Selection:
The selection structure allows the program to make decisions and execute different blocks of code based on a given condition. This is achieved through the use of control structures such as if-else or switch-case. Selection is used to perform different actions depending on the result of an evaluation. For example:

"`
If (condition) then
Instruction 1
but
Instruction 2
"`

3. Iteration:
The iteration structure, also known as a loop, allows a block of code to be executed repeatedly until a given condition is met. This makes it easy to execute repetitive tasks without having to repeat the code over and over again. The most common loops are the “for” and the “while”. For example:

"`
while (condition) do
Instruction
"`

4. Subroutines:
The subroutine structure, also known as functions or procedures, allows code to be divided into smaller, reusable blocks. These subroutines can be called multiple times in different parts of the program, facilitating modularity and code readability.

What is seen in structured programming

Introduction to structured programming: Everything you need to know

Structured programming is a programming paradigm that is based on the logical organization of a program into well-defined blocks of code. Unlike older approaches, such as linear programming or unstructured programming, structured programming uses a series of principles and techniques that facilitate software development in a more efficient and maintainable way.

In structured programming, code is divided into small functional units called "modules." These modules contain a series of logical instructions that are executed sequentially. Additionally, control structures, such as loops and conditionals, are used to control the flow of program execution.

One of the key concepts of structured programming is "modular decomposition." This involves breaking a program into smaller, more manageable modules. Each module is responsible for performing a specific task and communicates with other modules through parameters and shared variables.

Another fundamental principle of structured programming is “uniqueness of input and output.” This means that a program must have a single entry point and a single exit point. This makes the code easier to understand and maintain by avoiding scattering instructions across multiple entry and exit points.

Regarding control structures, structured programming mainly uses three: the sequence, the conditional and the loop. Sequence involves the sequential execution of instructions, conditional allows decisions to be made based on logical conditions, and loop allows a set of instructions to be repeated a given number of times.

Structured programming is also based on the "top-down" or "bottom-up" approach. In the top-down approach, the program is divided into high-level modules and then the details of each module are developed. In the bottom-up approach, smaller modules are developed first and then combined to form higher-level modules.

What is structured programming summary

Introduction to structured programming: Everything you need to know

Structured programming is a programming paradigm that is based on the logical and orderly organization of a program. It focuses on creating clear and structured algorithms, using only three fundamental control structures: sequence, selection and repetition.

In structured programming, we seek to avoid the use of unconditional jumps and complex constructions, such as the famous "goto". Instead, simpler, easier to understand structures are used, making the code easier to read and maintain.

One of the main benefits of structured programming is modularity. This means that the program is divided into smaller, more manageable modules, making it easier to develop, debug and modify. In addition, this methodology allows code to be reused, which saves time and effort in the programming process.

In structured programming, conditional structures such as "if-else" and "switch-case" are used to make decisions based on certain conditions. These structures allow the program to behave differently depending on the value of a variable or logical expression.

Another key structure in structured programming is the loop or cycle. Structures such as "for" and "while" are used to repeat a series of instructions a certain number of times or as long as a condition is met. This is especially useful when you need to perform repetitive operations, such as looping through a list of elements or performing iterative calculations.

So there you have it, my dear reader! Now you know the basics about structured programming. It's as if you were the conductor of an orchestra, controlling every note and every movement. Now you can start composing your own code symphonies. It's been said, let's program! And may the force of the loop be with you!