Question

Developing software programs requires a systematic approach to problem solving and involves several steps. For a given problem statement – assuming the problem has a software solution – list and describe in your own words the steps that enable you to bring the software solution to life.

Answer 1

• split large complex goals into small, simpler ones.
  • To be able to list what tasks are necessary to build a particular piece of software requires having done it many times before.  experienced software engineers don’t jump immediately to writing a task list. Instead, they split the overall problem into more straightforward ones.

• Learn to think parallel.

  • Reordering the tasks with the intent of maximizing parallel execution saves time and eliminates one of the steps.

• Learn to abstract, but don’t over-abstract.

  • Programmers learn to design solutions so that they don’t have to be re-designed every time that some of the parameters change. They learn to abstract problems in ways that allow a solution to resolve any class of problems similar to the original one.

• Learn to Consider Re-Using Existing Solutions
  • Not everything has to be re-invented from scratch. Experienced developers always consider using tools that are already available before they start designing a solution from scratch.
  • Finding and re-using solutions that are ready to go is part of the problem-solving skills a developer needs to acquire.

• Learn to Think in Terms of Data Flows.

  • Thinking in terms of data flows allow to visualize the primary goal and its subgoals as a series of boxes and arrows.