1.
Problem Definition
A clearly defined problem is already half the solution. Computer programming
requires us to define the problem first before we even try to create a solution.
2. Problem Analysis:
Analyzing the problem require us to identify the following:
Input(s) to the problem, their form and the input media to be
used
Output(s) expected from the problem, their form and the
output media to be used
Special constraints or conditions (if any)
Any formulas or equations to be used
For example, Compute the average marks obtained by students in "C-Programming".
Inputs: Marks of individual students
Outputs: The average mark of students
Formula: Average = Total Marks / No of students
i.e. A =T/N
4. Coding: Coding is the real job of programmer. The algorithm to solve a problem
which is described by pseudo-code or flow chart is converted into actual
programming language code. The code written by programmer by using any
programming language like C is called the source code or source program.
5. Compilation and execution: The source code written in any programming
language is not directly executed by the computer. It should be translated into to the
machine readable format i.e. actual machine language. The process of translation of
source code into the target code is called the compilation. Each programming
language has its own compiler program that translates the source code into its target
code. The converted program in actual machine language is then executed by the
computer which is known as program execution.
6. Debugging and Testing: A written program may have errors, some errors can be
detected by the language compilers and some errors can not be identified by the
compiler and occured during the program run. Common types of errors are
Syntax Errors: Identified by compiler at the program
compilation time.
Logical Errors: Not identified by the compiler at compile time
and identified at the execution time. e.g. misuse of operators
So testing is the process of checking the program for its correct functionality by
executing the program with some input data set and observing the output of the
program.
7. Documentation: From the start of the problem solving to the end of the
implementation of the program, all the tasks should be documented i.e. kept for
future reference. It is also the important part of the problem solving or program
development. Documentation may be of two types
Technical Documentation known as programmer's
documentations which includes the problem analysis to
implementation details for that program. It is needed for
future reference for any modification, update of the program.
User manual is the documentation prepared for the end-user
of the program that guides the user how to operate the
program.