Program Development

An organized list of instructions that, when executed, causes the computer to behave in a predetermined manner is called a program. There are many programming languages –C, C++, Pascal, BASIC, FORTRAN, COBOL, and LISP are just few. These are high level programing languages. We also have low level language called assembly languages and machine language.

Eventually, every program must be translated into machine language that the computer understands. This translation is done by a compiler, interpreters, and assembler. When you buy software, you normally buy an executable version of program. This means that the program is already in machine language i.e it has already been compiled and assembled and it’s ready to execute.

CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD PROGRAM

Accuracy: program should be sufficiently accurate to get the desired result
Simplicity: program logic should be as simple and uncomplicated as possible
Testability: place test points in the program
Efficiency: design program to use the least amount of primary storage and fewest devices possible.
Flexibility: account for all possible varieties of data input and processing conditions
Generality: Design the program to be generalized and flexible.

PRECAUTIONS IN PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

There are certain precautions that one should take during the development of a program. These are:

Patience: one should be patient enough and should not rush during programming process
Step following: All the steps of a program should be followed religiously without skipping of steps
Execution order: The order of execution of instructions should be followed
Fresh mind: one should be sufficiently fresh to work on a program

EVALUATION

What is a computer program
List characteristics of a good program
List precautions to be taken when writing a program

CONCLUSION

Students are allowed to give correction on the evaluation test and summarize the lesson. Teacher allows students to ask questions for better understanding and to clear doubt