An introduction to Computer Program Design

The computer program design life cycle is simple, yet probably not something one would think of when first learning programming. Remember, major programming is done in teams of people working to create a product for an end user.

1. Understand:
   -You must understand what is required of you, where the program is going and what your part in all of this is.

2. Plan:
   -Write it down! Whether you use flowcharts or psuedocode you need to have a plan before you start programming.

3. Code:
   -This is where most people want to start, but it is important to follow through with the first steps. This is true in more than just programming. Planning will save you headaches here!

4. Compile:
   - Here is where you use a compiler to translate your code to machine language. If you have followed proper programming protocol (syntax) you now have a working computer program!

5. Test:
   - You thought you were done there??? Not quite yet! Now it's time to test the product, fix any bugs, and if necessary go back through the previous steps until you have a workable bug free (to the greatest extent possible, all sizable programs will have bugs) program.
 
6. Launch:
   - Your program finally gets an audience. Months of staring at a screen and 4 cases of Red Bull later and you have the satisfaction of watching your program in action. Ahhh yesss....

7. Maintain:
   - If only that were it. Many customers will want support, updates will have to be put out as new bugs are found. This step lasts as long as there is a reasonable need and as long as the program's design is still reasonably usable. As new technology emerges your program may (will) become obsolete and need to be brought into the new generation. And the cycle begins anew...

An introduction to Computer Logic

Logic is defined as the study of arguments. In logic you are finding the proper way to make a statement that is understandable and is a true statement. A computer program is exactly that, a series of arguments, all with a value of true or false. This makes sense when you think that computer code, binary, is a string of ones and zeros. The computer circuit can read the presence of electrical current as a 1 and absence as a 0. Even the most complex programs can be broken down into strings of true and false.

Learning to Program!

Computer programming has always been a fascination of mine. A dream always just beyond my reach due (mostly) to laziness. Learning to program takes time, persistence, and many long hours in front of a computer. So lets get into it.

What do you need to begin programming?

First you should have a solid grasp of computer logic and program design. As a beginner programmer most colleges require you take a logic class either before or as you take your first computer science courses. Structured programming takes you through the software development process and helps the programmer design code that can be easily read by himself and others. Why this is important will become clear as we go along. Interestingly, the hardest part is designing the logic, or figuring the "how" of the program. After that you only have to translate that logic into computer language.

Computer language is achieved more simply by using a programming language. Though arcane, programming language is not computer language. Computer language is a series of 1's and 0's or binary bits. Programming languages in human language (or close to it), and are structured to be transformed into computer language by the compiler as long as proper syntax is used. Some programming languages include, Java, C, C++, C#, Python, and many others.