Document First - then Code

Davy Dick's talk to the JAL Special Interest Group last night was a not to be missed event for anyone wishing to program in any language.

The critical analysis process was succinctly expressed as

" If you can't describe it - you can't code it"

Comments in a program are essential for the understanding of others and for yourself if looking at it after a prolonged delay. Davy suggests that we shouldn't write code and then comment on it, but the opposite.

Write comments describing your requirements and then write the code for each part.

Davy used a few examples to outline his method of designing using Psuedo Code.

A road roller, a canal boat with intermediate animations, a traffic light simulator, a lighthouse and Ezypoints were demonstrated and discussed showing different programming methods.

I would recommend that you watch this presentation which is now available on the JALSIG area of the MERG website.

You might have to Join the JAL Special Interest Group to gain access.

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