STRUCTURED PROGRAMMING

This cycle outlines the stages a programmer goes through from identifying a problem to the final implementation and maintenance of the solution.

 

• Stage 1: Problem Recognition & Definition

  • Identifying that a problem exists and determining if a computer solution is feasible.

  • Clearly defining the boundaries of the problem (what the program should and shouldn't do).

• Stage 2: Problem Analysis

  • Decomposing the problem to understand its requirements.

  • Identifying:

    • Inputs: What data is needed?

    • Processes: What calculations or logical operations are required?

    • Outputs: What information must the program produce?

• Stage 3: Program Design

  • Planning the solution logic before writing any code.

  • Tools used include algorithms, flowcharts, and pseudocode (detailed below).

  • Focuses on the logical flow and data structures.

• Stage 4: Coding

  • Translating the design logic into a specific programming language (e.g., C, Pascal, Java).

  • Adhering to the syntax rules of the chosen language.

• Stage 5: Testing and Debugging

  • Testing: Running the program with sample data to ensure it produces correct results.

  • Debugging: The process of detecting, locating, and correcting errors (syntax, logic, or runtime errors).

• Stage 6: Implementation

  • Installing the software for the end-user.

  • Includes training users and converting from the old system to the new one.

• Stage 7: Maintenance

  • Updating the program to fix previously undiscovered bugs or adding new features as user needs change.

• Stage 8: Documentation

  • Creating written descriptions of the program (User Manuals for users, Technical Manuals for developers). This is done throughout the cycle.