Programming is a process of continuous troubleshooting and problem solving. As such, it’s important that we have a process to make it more productive. Steps to making a program:
- Define what you want the final program to do.
- Divide the program into smaller more manageable features.
- Start with the most basic feature, write the code, then test and refine it until it does what you want it to do.
- Then try one more feature, write the code, then test and refine it until it (and the previous features) work together and do want you want.
- Repeat step 4 until your program is done.
Things to consider:
- Details matter. Be super specific about what you want your program to do and take the time to read things and take notes. It will save you time in the end.
- Someone else has probably had the same problem. Google is your friend.
- The processing reference is your programming bible. It defines all the rules. Read it. Know it. Love it.
When you get stuck, think about these things:
- What did you do to produce this error or unexpected result?
- What were you expecting the program to do?
- What did the program do instead? If it gave you an error, what does the error say?
If you’re still stuck, try these things:
- If you are basing your work on an example you found. Revert back to the example.