[Solved] A student wrote this pseudocode for a simple compression: for each character in string: if character is same as previous: increase count else:... | Intro to Computing

Intro to Computing - How Data is Represented

A student wrote this pseudocode for a simple compression:

for each character in string:
  if character is same as previous:
    increase count
  else:
    output count and previous character
    reset count to 1

What is the main error in this approach?

AIt outputs characters instead of counts

BIt increases count even when characters differ

CIt resets count before reading the first character

DIt does not output the last character and its count

Step-by-Step Solution

Solution:

Step 1: Analyze the loop logic
The loop outputs count and character only when a new character appears.
Step 2: Identify missing output
The last character group is not output after the loop ends.
Final Answer:
It does not output the last character and its count -> Option D
Quick Check:
Missing last output = Main error [OK]

Quick Trick: Always output last group after loop ends [OK]

Common Mistakes:

Forgetting last output
Resetting count incorrectly
Outputting before first character

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More Intro to Computing Quizzes

A student wrote this pseudocode for a simple compression:

Step 1: Analyze the loop logic

Step 2: Identify missing output

Final Answer:

Quick Check:

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