Pictorial representation of an algorithm is called as:

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is (3):
A **Flowchart** is the formal, standardized graphical representation used in computer science and programming to illustrate the sequence of operations or the flow of control within an algorithm. It uses a set of special, geometric symbols—such as ovals for start/end points, rectangles for processing steps, and diamonds for decision points—which are all connected by flow lines (arrows) to show the exact logical path an algorithm follows. This pictorial format serves as a vital blueprint for the program's structure, enhancing readability, aiding in debugging before coding begins, and serving as essential documentation. By visually mapping out the logical steps, a flowchart makes complex algorithms easily understandable, which is why it is the precise answer to a 'pictorial representation of an algorithm.'

The incorrect option is (4):
**Pseudocode** is a textual, not pictorial, representation of an algorithm. It is an informal, high-level description written using the structural conventions of a programming language but intended for human reading rather than machine execution. Unlike a flowchart, which relies on universal symbols, pseudocode uses natural language statements mixed with common programming keywords to outline the algorithm's logic. Therefore, while it is a representation of an algorithm, it lacks the key characteristic of being a *pictorial* diagram.

The incorrect option is (1) and (2):
**Image** and **Picture** are general, non-specific terms for any visual graphic or drawing. While a flowchart is technically an image or a picture, these terms do not convey the specific, technical meaning or the structured nature required by the question. Computer science demands a precise term to describe a diagram that follows universal conventions for mapping algorithm logic. Since 'Image' and 'Picture' lack the necessary context of standardized symbols, flow lines, and logic gates, they fail to identify the specific tool used for the pictorial representation of an algorithm's steps.