Program Development Steps(or) Programming Methodology (or) Steps for Good Programming

Steps to develop a program:

 

The following steps are used n sequence for developing an efficient statement.

·         Specifying the problem statement

·         Designing an algorithm.

·         Coding. Debugging. Testing &validating

·         Documentation &maintenance.

1. Specifying the problem:

The problem which has to be implemented into a program must be thoroughly understood before the program is written problem must be analyzed to determine the i\p & o\p requirements of the program. A problem is created with these specifications.

2. Designing as algorithm:

With the problem statement obtained in the previous step, various methods available for obtaining the required solution are analyzed & the best suitable method is designed into algorithm.

To improve clarity & understand ability of the program flow charts are drawn using the algorithms.

3.Coding:

The actual program is written in the required programming language with the help of ins depicted in flow charts & algorithms.

4. Debugging:

There is a possibility of occurrence of errors in programs. These errors must be removed to ensure proper working of programs. Hence error check is made. This process is known as debugging.

Types of errors that may occur in the program are:

Syntatic errors:

These errors occurs due to the usage of wrong syntax for the statements syntax means rules of writing the program .

Ex:– x=z*/b;

These is syntax error in this statement. The rules of binary operators state that there cannot be more than one operator between 2 operands.

Runtime errors:

These errors are determined at the execution time of the program.

Ex:– divide by zero

Range out of bounds

Square root of a negative number.

Logical errors:

These errors occur due to incorrect usage of the instruction in the program. These errors are neither displayed during compilation or execution nor cause incorrect outputs.

Logical errors are determined by analyzing the outputs for different possible inputs that can be applied to the program by this way the program is validated.

5. Testing and validating:

Testing & validity is performed to check whether the program is producing correct results or not for different values of input.

6.Documentation &Maintenance:

Documentation & Maintenance id the process of collecting, organizing & maintaining in written the complete information of the program for future references.

Maintenance is the process of upgrading  the program according to the changing requirements.