Algorithm training system

• US 5,697,788 A
• Filed: 09/11/1995
• Issued: 12/16/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Koichi Ohta
• Original Assignee: Aleph Logic Ltd.
• Inventors: Ohta, Koichi
• Primary Examiner(s): CHENG, JOE H
• Application Number:
  US08/526,093
• Time in Patent Office: 827 Days
• Field of Search: 434/118, 434/307 R, 434/322, 434/323, 434/327, 434/350, 434/362, 434/365, 395/152, 395/154, 395/155-161, 395/183.22, 395/700, 395/927, 395/701, 395/702, 395/704, 395/761, 364/147, 364/578, 364/191, 364/DIG. 1, 364/183.14, 345/156
• US Class Current: 434/118
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0053 Computers, e.g. programming

Abstract

An algorithm training system for training a learner in the computer algorithm is provided. The system has a display device for selectively displaying information including flow-chart symbols and flow-lines. Instruction for an algorithm are entered into the computer from the keyboard or by the mouse operation. The system creates a desired flow-chart using the flow-chart symbols and flow-lines being shown on the display device in accordance with the instructions entered. The algorithm expressed by the resulting flow-chart is verified and its result is also shown on the display device.

Claims

1. An algorithm training system, comprising:

first means, for displaying information, including flow-chart symbols and flow-lines;

second means, for entering instructions;

third means, for creating a flow-chart from flow-chart symbols and flow-lines in accordance with said instructions entered by said second means;

fourth means, for translating said flow chart created by said third means into a program of a selected programming language; and

fifth means, for verifying an algorithm expressed by said flow-chart created by said third means and for displaying the results of the verification,

wherein, during the verification, that portion of said flow-chart being executed and a corresponding portion of said program are displayed simultaneously.

2. An algorithm training system according to claim 1 where said third means includes means for selecting desired flow-chart symbols and flow-lines from among the flow-chart symbols and flow-lines being shown;

and means for character entering means for entering a desired character into the flow-chart symbol selected by said selecting means.

3. An algorithm training method, comprising the steps of:

(1) displaying information, including flow-chart symbols and flow-lines;

(2) entering instructions;

(3) creating a flow-chart from flow-chart symbols and flow-lines in accordance with said instructions entered by said step (2);

(4) translating said flow chart created by said step (3) into a program of a selected programming language;

(5) verifying an algorithm expressed by said flow-chart created by said step (3); and

(6) displaying the results oft he verification of said step (5), and displaying, simultaneously, that portion of said flow-chart of said step (3) and that portion of said program of said step (4) currently being executed.

4. An algorithm training system, comprising:

a display device;

an input mechanism;

a flow-chart generator, wherein said flow chart generator generates a flow-chart from flow-chart symbols and flow-lines in accordance with instructions entered by said input mechanism;

a translator, wherein said translator translates said flow-chart into a program of a selected programming language; and

a verifier, wherein said verifier verifies an algorithm expressed by said flow-chart and displays the results of the verification on said display device,

wherein, during the verification, that portion of said flow-chart being executed and a corresponding portion of said program are displayed simultaneously.