Program planning and design

This lesson focuses on program planning and design. Interdisciplinary approaches reveal connections that single-subject study might miss.

Programming fundamentals build on a few core concepts. Input: data that enters a program (keyboard, file, sensor, network). Output: data that exits (screen, file, printer, network). Input/output operations let programs interact with users and the outside world. Operators perform operations on values: arithmetic (+, −, ×, ÷, % for modulo), comparison (==, !=, <, >, <=, >=, return Boolean), logical (and, or, not, combine Boolean expressions), assignment (= assigns a value; += adds to existing value). Expressions combine values and operators to produce a result. File operations: open, read, write, and close text or binary files to store data permanently. Problem decomposition: break a large problem into smaller, manageable sub-problems that can be solved independently and combined. Collaborative coding: version control (Git) tracks changes; code reviews improve quality; pair programming reduces errors. Program planning: write pseudocode or draw flowcharts before coding to clarify logic and avoid wasted effort.

As you engage with this material, consider both the theoretical foundations and practical applications. Think critically about how this concept builds on prior knowledge and where you might apply it beyond the classroom.

Challenge yourself to go beyond memorization—seek to understand the "why" behind the processes and principles.