Computer Basics - Introduction
- Computer Languages
- Creating and Running
- Program Development steps
- Algorithms and Flow Chart
- C - Basics
- Introduction to C
- C Program Structure
- The C Character Set
- Variables
- Datatypes
- First C Program
- Expression
- Operators
- Expression Evaluation
- Type Casting
- Control Statements
- Introduction to Control Structures
- Decision Statements
- Loop Statements
- Jump Statements
Program Development steps
The program development steps or phases that we follow a sequence of steps to develop a program in any programming language.
Generally, the program development steps contains 6 phases, they are as follows
- Requirements
- Analysis
- Design
- Coding
- Testing
- Maintenance
1. Requirements
- we define the problem statement and we decide the boundaries of the problem.
- Information about the problem must be stated clearly and unambiguously.
- we need to understand the problem statement and gather the preliminary requirements.
- Main objective of this phase is to eliminate unimportant aspects and identify the root problem
2. Analysis
- All the factors like Input/output, processing requirement, memory requirements, error handling, interfacing with other programs have to be taken into consideration in this stage.
- It also determines the required format in which results should be displayed
3. Design
- The software developer makes use of tools like algorithms and flowcharts to develop the design of the program.
- Algorithm
- Flowchart
- Algorith is the list of instructions in a perticular order to solve the problem
- Flowcharts are used to get the pictorial representation of the algorithm
4. Coding
- Once the design process is complete, converting algorithm to a program by selecting any one of the high – level languages that is suitable for the problem.
- Coding is generally a very small part of the entire program development process and also a less time consuming activity in reality.
- In this process we identify and eliminate all the syntax errors related to spelling, missing commas, undefined labels etc.
- For effective coding some of the guide lines are to be follow:
- Use of meaningful names and labels of variables
- Simple and clear expressions
- Modularity with emphasis on making modules generalized
- Making use of comments and indenting the code properly
- Avoiding jumps in the program to transfer control
5. Testing
- The program is tested on a number of suitable test cases.
- A test plan of the program has to be done at the stage of the program design itself.
- This ensures a thorough understanding of the specifications.
- Running the program several times using different sets of data verifies whether a program works correctly for every situation provided in the algorithm.
- It is always useful to include the maximum and minimum values of all variables as test data.
6. Maintenance
- Updating and correction of the program for changed conditions and field experience is accounted for in maintenance.
- Maintenance becomes essential in following situations:
- Change in specification
- Change in equipment
- Errors which are found during the actual execution of the program
Next Topic :Algorithms and Flow Chart