Pseudocode Standard | Learn to Write Code

Variables & Data

Concept	Typical Equivalent	Pseudocode	Meaning
Assignment	`variable = value`	`CREATE <variable> AS <value>`	Create a named place to remember a value.
Reassignment	`variable = newValue`	`CHANGE <variable> TO <value>`	Replace the value already stored in a variable.
Boolean	`bool / boolean`	`SWITCH`	A value with two states, such as true/false or on/off.
Boolean value	`true / false`	`TRUE / FALSE`	The two values a SWITCH can hold.
Array/List	`array / list`	`CREATE <list name> AS LIST WITH <values>`	Store several values together in an ordered group.
Dictionary/Map	`dictionary / map / object`	`CREATE <map name> AS MAP WITH <keys: values>`	Store values by named keys.
Index Access	`list[index]`	`ITEM <index> OF <list>`	Get a single value from a list by its position. Positions start at 0.
Add to List	`list.append(value) / list.push(value)`	`ADD <value> TO <list>`	Add a new value to the end of a list.

Operators & Comparisons

Concept	Typical Equivalent	Pseudocode	Meaning
Equal	`==`	`IS`	Check whether two values are equal.
Not equal	`!=`	`IS NOT`	Check whether two values are different.
Strictly equal	`===`	`IS EXACTLY`	Check equality without loose type conversion.
Strictly not equal	`!==`	`IS NOT EXACTLY`	Check strict inequality.
Greater than	`>`	`GREATER THAN`	Check whether the left value is larger. Works on numbers and, alphabetically, on text.
Less than	`<`	`LESS THAN`	Check whether the left value is smaller. Works on numbers and, alphabetically, on text.
Greater or equal	`>=`	`GREATER OR EQUAL TO`	Check whether a value is at least another value. Works on numbers and, alphabetically, on text.
Less or equal	`<=`	`LESS OR EQUAL TO`	Check whether a value is no more than another value. Works on numbers and, alphabetically, on text.
Modulus	`%`	`MODULUS`	Return the remainder after division.
Power	`**`	`TO THE POWER OF`	Raise a number to a power.
Increment	`++`	`ADD ONE TO <variable>`	Increase a number by one.
Decrement	`--`	`SUBTRACT ONE FROM <variable>`	Decrease a number by one.
And	`&& / and`	`AND`	True only when both sides are true.
Or	`\|\| / or`	`OR`	True when either side is true.
Not	`! / not`	`NOT`	Flips true to false, and false to true.
Grouping	`( )`	`( <expression> )`	Work this part out first, before the operators around it.

Utilities

Concept	Typical Equivalent	Pseudocode	Meaning
Output	`print / console.log / WriteLine`	`SHOW <message>`	Display information to the user.
Input	`input / read`	`ASK <question> SAVE IN <variable>`	Ask the user for information and remember the answer.
Comment	`// / # / /* */`	`EXPLANATION <text>`	Leave a note for humans that the program does not execute.
Length	`len(x) / x.length / x.Count`	`LENGTH OF <list or text>`	Count how many items a list holds, or how many characters a piece of text contains.

Program Structure & Flow

Concept	Typical Equivalent	Pseudocode	Meaning
Sequence	`main()`	`SEQUENCE <name>`	A set of instructions for the computer to run in order.

Conditions & Branching

Concept	Typical Equivalent	Pseudocode	Meaning
If	`if`	`IF <condition> THEN ... END IF`	Run instructions only when a condition is true.
Else If	`else if / elif`	`OR IF <condition> THEN`	Try another condition when the earlier one was false.
Else	`else`	`OTHERWISE ...`	Run fallback instructions when no earlier condition matched.

Loops & Repetition

Concept	Typical Equivalent	Pseudocode	Meaning
Repeat Until	`do/while style loop`	`REPEAT UNTIL <condition> ... END REPEAT`	Keep repeating until a stopping condition becomes true.
Repeat While	`while`	`REPEAT WHILE <condition> ... END REPEAT`	Keep repeating while a condition stays true.
For Each	`for each / for ... in`	`FOR EACH <item> IN <group> ... END FOR`	Run the same instructions once for every item in a group. A list gives items, text gives characters, and a map gives its keys.

Functions & Reuse

Concept	Typical Equivalent	Pseudocode	Meaning
Function/Method	`function / def / method`	`ACTION <name> WITH <first>, <second> ... END ACTION`	Create a reusable set of instructions, optionally taking values in.
Function Call	`functionName()`	`CALL ACTION <name> WITH <value>, <value>`	Run a reusable action, optionally passing values in. Can be used anywhere a value is expected, such as CREATE <variable> AS CALL ACTION <name>.
Return	`return`	`SEND <value> BACK`	Give a result back to the code that called the action.

Objects & Blueprints

Concept	Typical Equivalent	Pseudocode	Meaning
Class	`class`	`BLUEPRINT <name> ... END BLUEPRINT`	Define a reusable blueprint for objects with shared data and behavior.
Object	`new / instance`	`CREATE <blueprint> AS <object>`	Create a real object from a blueprint.
Inheritance	`class Dog extends Animal / class Dog : Animal`	`BLUEPRINT <name> EXTENDS <parent> ... END BLUEPRINT`	Create a new blueprint that reuses everything an existing blueprint defines, then adds or overrides its own behavior.
Encapsulation	`private`	`PRIVATE CREATE <variable> AS <value>`	Keep a piece of data hidden inside a blueprint so only that blueprint's own actions can change it directly.

Text & Strings

Concept	Typical Equivalent	Pseudocode	Meaning
Join Text	`+ / f-string / template literal`	`JOIN <text> AND <text>`	Combine two or more pieces of text into one.

Errors & Problem Handling

Concept	Typical Equivalent	Pseudocode	Meaning
Attempt/Catch	`try / except / catch`	`ATTEMPT ... IF PROBLEM OCCURS THEN ... END ATTEMPT`	Run instructions that might fail, and handle it gracefully instead of crashing if they do.
Raise a Problem	`throw / raise`	`THROW PROBLEM <message>`	Deliberately signal that something has gone wrong, along with a message describing it.
Problem Details	`e.message / err.Message / exception.what()`	`PROBLEM DETAILS`	Read the message describing what went wrong inside a matching IF PROBLEM OCCURS block.