From cced7234d4c04128e53860e0d7e844a4a8a3ac90 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: medusa Date: Wed, 6 Aug 2025 16:01:56 -0500 Subject: [PATCH] Update tech_docs/pseudocode.md --- tech_docs/pseudocode.md | 210 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 210 insertions(+) diff --git a/tech_docs/pseudocode.md b/tech_docs/pseudocode.md index ba93d63..e595b1b 100644 --- a/tech_docs/pseudocode.md +++ b/tech_docs/pseudocode.md @@ -1,3 +1,213 @@ +# **Precision Pseudocode Engineering Guide** +*A Systems Approach to Algorithm Design Without Ambiguity* + +--- + +## **1. Core Principles of Precision Pseudocode** +**Objective**: Create executable-like instructions that balance human readability with technical rigor. + +### **Non-Negotiable Rules** +1. **Atomic Operations**: Each line must perform exactly one logical action. +2. **Type-Aware**: Variables must have explicit types (even if imaginary). +3. **Bounded Contexts**: Scope all operations within defined boundaries. +4. **Deterministic Outputs**: Same inputs → same outputs, always. + +--- + +## **2. Pseudocode Object Model** +*(All pseudocode components are objects with literals.)* + +| Object | Required Literals | Example | +|-----------------|--------------------------------|----------------------------------| +| `Variable` | `name`, `type`, `value` | `counter: Int = 0` | +| `Function` | `name`, `params`, `return_type`| `def sqrt(x: Float) → Float` | +| `Loop` | `iterator`, `range`, `exit_cond` | `for i in 0.. threshold: ` | + +--- + +## **3. Constraint-Driven Syntax** +### **A. Variable Declarations** +```python +# BAD: Ambiguous +set x to 10 + +# GOOD: Type-bound +x: Int = 10 # Explicit 32-bit signed integer +``` +**Constraint Enforcement**: +- Reject untyped variables. +- Use IEEE standard type names (`Float64`, `UInt8`). + +### **B. Function Definitions** +```python +# BAD: Unbounded behavior +function process_data(input): + +# GOOD: Precise contracts +function process_data(input: List[Float]) → Boolean: + """Returns True if normalization succeeds.""" +``` +**Constraints**: +- Parameter/return types required. +- Single-responsibility principle (one function = one transformation). + +### **C. Control Flow** +```python +# BAD: Unbounded loop +repeat until done: + +# GOOD: Explicit exit conditions +while iterations < max_iterations and error > tolerance: +``` +**Constraints**: +- All loops must have: + - A defined iterator (`i`, `index`) + - A hard exit condition (`i < n`, `error < 1e-6`) + +--- + +## **4. Precision Patterns** +### **Pattern 1: Mathematical Operations** +```python +# BAD: Implicit casting +result = a / b + +# GOOD: Type-aware +result: Float = Float(a) / Float(b) # Force floating-point division +``` + +### **Pattern 2: Error Handling** +```python +# BAD: Silent failures +file = open("data.txt") + +# GOOD: Bounded recovery +try: + file: File = open("data.txt", mode="r") +except FileNotFoundError: + log_error("Missing file") + return False +``` + +### **Pattern 3: Data Transformations** +```python +# BAD: Ambiguous filtering +filter invalid entries + +# GOOD: Literal-based +valid_entries: List[Data] = [ + entry for entry in dataset + if entry.timestamp >= min_date and entry.value is not None +] +``` + +--- + +## **5. Validation Checklist** +Before finalizing pseudocode, verify: + +1. [ ] **All variables have explicit types**. +2. [ ] **All loops and conditionals have exit conditions**. +3. [ ] **Functions define input/output contracts**. +4. [ ] **No implicit type conversions exist**. +5. [ ] **Error cases are bounded and handled**. + +--- + +## **6. Example: Robust Search Algorithm** +```python +function binary_search(arr: List[Int], target: Int) → Int: + """Returns index of target in sorted array, or -1 if not found.""" + left: Int = 0 + right: Int = len(arr) - 1 + + while left <= right: + mid: Int = left + (right - left) // 2 # Prevent overflow + if arr[mid] == target: + return mid + elif arr[mid] < target: + left = mid + 1 + else: + right = mid - 1 + + return -1 # Explicit failure signal +``` + +**Key Precision Techniques Applied**: +- Type annotations (`Int`, `List[Int]`). +- Overflow-safe midpoint calculation. +- Hard exit condition (`left <= right`). +- Deterministic return values (no `None`). + +--- + +## **7. Anti-Patterns to Eliminate** +| Ambiguity | Precision Fix | +|---------------------|--------------------------------| +| "Handle errors" | `try/except` with logged cases | +| "Process data" | `function normalize(data: List[Float]) → Bool` | +| "Repeat until done" | `while iterations < max_iter:` | + +--- + +## **8. Tooling for Enforcement** +1. **Linters**: Custom rules to flag: + - Untyped variables. + - Unbounded loops. +2. **Templates**: + ```python + # Function template + function [name]([param: Type]) → ReturnType: + """[One-sentence purpose]""" + [Preconditions] + [Bounded operations] + [Postconditions] + ``` + +--- + +## **9. Final Output** +**Input Chaos**: +*"Find the largest number in a list, but sometimes the list has bad data."* + +**Precision Pseudocode**: +```python +function find_max_valid(values: List[Optional[Float]]) → Float: + """Returns the maximum non-null value in a list. + Raises ValueError if no valid values exist.""" + max_val: Float = -inf + valid_count: Int = 0 + + for value in values: + if value is not None: + valid_count += 1 + if value > max_val: + max_val = value + + if valid_count == 0: + raise ValueError("No valid values in input") + return max_val +``` + +**Why This Works**: +- Handles `null`/`None` explicitly. +- Uses IEEE float standards (`-inf` as initializer). +- Fails loudly with a descriptive error. + +--- + +### **Summary** +> "Precision pseudocode isn’t code—it’s **constrained thought engineering**. +> Define the literals, enforce the boundaries, and the logic will write itself." + +**Next Step**: Apply this template to your domain by replacing: +- `List[Int]` → Your data structures +- `Float` → Your measurement units +- `try/except` → Your error recovery protocols + +--- + pseudocode examples Pseudocode is a simple way of expressing programming logic in plain language. It's a valuable tool to outline algorithms, aiding in understanding and problem-solving without using specific programming language syntax. Why Use Pseudocode?