Learning Programming Processes Through Cooking: 7 Steps #4

Program development consists of many stages. Here, I have briefly noted the steps for creating a program to make the programming flow easier to understand. These are the items necessary for preparation and requests to create a program.

It may seem complicated at first glance, but it is similar to the process of cooking. Each step corresponds to instructions in a recipe, and just as you follow the path until the final dish is complete, a program is shaped step by step.

The specific process is as follows: understanding requirements, requirements definition, design, coding, integration and testing, debugging, and final adjustments.

1. Requirements definition based on requested specifications (deciding the menu and selecting ingredients)

Based on the project's purpose and goals, define the specific functions and requirements to achieve them. In this step, clarify what the program must do (functions), under what conditions it will operate (conditions), and what the user inputs and system outputs are (input/output).

In other words, before you start cooking, you decide what to make (the menu) and select the necessary ingredients. In programming, this corresponds to 'requested specifications' and 'requirements definition.' Here, you determine what the program must accomplish (the menu) and what functions are needed (the necessary ingredients).

2. Flowcharting and design (creating a recipe)

Based on the requirements definition, visualize the program flow (e.g., using flowcharts). In this process, design how each part of the program interacts and in what order processing occurs. The design here serves as a 'blueprint' to ensure smooth coding later on.In other words, creating a recipe is equivalent to clarifying the work procedure (flow) based on the requirements definition.

3. Coding (cooking)
Based on the design, write the actual program code. At this stage, define functions that have specific features. Functions perform specific tasks, receive data as needed (arguments), and return results (return values). As a best practice, it is recommended that one function should have one responsibility (Single Responsibility Principle).In other words, starting to cook based on a recipe is the 'coding' stage in programming. The specific coding work can be compared to preparing ingredients according to recipe instructions. Defining functions and classes is like having small chefs in charge of each cooking step.

4. Integration and testing (tasting and fine-tuning)Combine all defined functions and verify whether the program as a whole meets the requested specifications. Test whether each part of the program works correctly in coordination, check for bugs, and ensure it operates as expected.Once the dish is finished, you taste it and make final adjustments. In programming, this is the 'integration and testing' phase. You confirm that the created program works correctly according to the specifications and fix any issues. This is similar to tasting a dish and adjusting the saltiness.

5. Debugging and final adjustments (plating and finishing)
Fix issues found during testing and make adjustments to improve the program's performance and usability. Work at this stage is essential to make the program practical.Plating and finishing a dish corresponds to 'debugging' and 'final adjustments' in programming. Just as you improve the appearance of a dish, you improve usability and optimize performance in a program. Ultimately, just as a dish is served in its best state for eating, the program is completed in the most user-friendly form for the user.

Creation date: 2024/06/09 First edition

Related articles

• Learn with an AI Chef! Programming is the same as a 'cooking recipe'

#Memo
2025/09/18: Related article added