Also:
Another question from that pseudo code I was using is why do I have to turn on all Digits to HIGH( ie "(1) All four cathodes high"), why cant I just send power to the one digit I want to light up, ground the pins/segments I want to make the number and move on to the next digit or change the current digit again?
The pseudo code was written for a common cathode device.
Digits are controlled by the cathode, segments by the anodes.
Setting "(1)All four cathodes high" turns off all of the digits. As a cathode needs to be LOW to be on.
You then select your segments for the digit you want to make your number on.
Then set that one digit LOW or 'on' to display the number.
Then you move on to the next digit and start by ensuring all the digits are turned off before you set segments, if you left a digit turned on (Cathode LOW) and set up the number, the digit that was left on would be displaying it rather than the one you wanted.
So essentially you are
sending power to the one digit I want to light up, ground the pins/segments I want to make the number and move on to the next digit
Just in a slightly different order. And grounding segments is done to common Anode devices.
I think the confusion will lift slightly once we establish for certain which type of device you have.
Is pin 1 marked on your package? as it is not on the data sheet, and it is important to know that before doing the check.