Steps in Programming

There are 6 steps in programming

1. Defining and analyzing problems
• Programming begin with a specification of problems.
• This steps is to identify and understand what are the problems to resolve.
• The problems must be clearly define, explicit and the requirements in resolving it.
• Analyzing the problems will determine the input, output and information required to solve these problems, as follows:
• input – data to be processed
• output – the desired result
• the constraint and additional features in resolving the problems
2. Planning of variables
• Variables are simply references to memory locations.
• A well plan use of variables will produce an efficient execution of program in terms of speed and memory utilization.
3. Drawing the flowchart
• Flowchart represents algorithm in graphic form comprising of geometrical symbols which is interrelated by line of flow.
4. Program writing
• In the design of program it should be written as simple as possible.
• The main objective is to give a clear, readable programs through an orderly and disciplined approach to programming.
5. Testing and debugging program
• Once the program has been written it must be compiled and executed.
• This is accomplished by an editor and compiler.
• An editor lets us type a program, makes changes and save it to a file.
• The compiler then translates the program into a form that the computer can read.
• Once the program has been compiled and executed the presence of errors will be readily apparent.
•  There two types of errors
• Syntactic and execution errors
• usually result in the generation of error when compiling or executing a program.
• Error of this type is usually quite easy to find and correct.
• Logical errors
• Since the output resulting from logically incorrect program may appear to be error free.
• Thus a good bit of probing may be required which is known as logical debugging
6. Documentation of program
• Program must be documented for future references and maintenance process.
• A well documented program will make it easier for the original programmer or other programmer to follow the program logic and design.
• Program document should consist of :

• An accurate specification of requirement
• Detail input, output, constraint and formula for the above problems
• Algorithm in the form of flowchart or pseudo code
• Program source complete with comment
• Sample program which had been run and executed and the tested data.
• Guideline on how to use the program.