Pseudocode is primarily used for what purpose in programming?

Pseudocode serves as a bridge between human-readable language and programming languages. Its primary purpose is to outline the logic of algorithms in a way that is easy for humans to understand, without needing to focus on the syntax of a specific programming language. By using pseudocode, programmers can concentrate on the logical flow and structure of their code, making it simpler to visualize how the algorithm operates.

It provides a high-level overview that can be easily translated into actual code later, allowing for flexibility and clarity in designing the algorithm. This is particularly useful during the planning and designing stages of programming, where the focus should be on solving the problem rather than getting bogged down with language-specific details.

Other options highlight processes that are not aligned with the primary function of pseudocode. Writing final executable code pertains to implementing the actual solution, performance testing is concerned with evaluating the efficiency of the code after it has been developed, and generating machine code deals with the conversion of high-level languages into binary code, which is derived from the source code rather than pseudocode. All these activities occur after the initial algorithm design and are distinct from the conceptual clarity that pseudocode aims to provide.