How to tackle a programming problem?

[TcM]

How you tackle a programming problem? If you have a programming problem from where do you start? I usually find it quite a problem when I have a problem.. I usually solve it by myself (as you can see I don't ask much programming related questions) but I still end up wasting a lot of time I think.

Any tips?

Thanks

[keller]

I usually start with a sheet of paper and determine what it is that I really need to do, and what I want to do. I try to start very abstract and work down to the concrete levels, but I tend to race down to the concrete a little early. Guess that's why I'm still in school for this stuff, so much more to learn.

[John]

I too start with a sheet of paper which usually contains charts, diagrams, and some UML. Some times I use CRC *cards* depending on the size of the project.

I then create a abstract framework with no functionality, then slowly construct specific functions / methods.

Organization is the best programming strategy.

[v0id]

I usually try to figure it out in my head, and when I've got an idea of what's working, then I try to write some code. If I'm struggling with mathematics- or low-level-problems in programming, then I'm using a random text-editor on the computer, or a sheet of paper.

[TcM]

Sidewinder so you make use of flowcharts? or you have your own 'drawing' method?

v0id you are exactly like me.. but sometimes while thinking I end up thinking on other 2 ideas and eventually I forget what the first one was.. and end up confused. Does this happen to you?

[WingedPanther]

It tends to depend on the scale of the problem. For something math related, making sure I have a list of the necessary formulas and an understanding of how they work is a start. For other problems, a sketch of the logic is key. I usually do my scratch work electronically or on a white board.

[TcM]

with sketch work you mean... flowcharts? or pseudo code.. or some other method?

[John]

Sidewinder so you make use of flowcharts? or you have your own 'drawing' method?

v0id you are exactly like me.. but sometimes while thinking I end up thinking on other 2 ideas and eventually I forget what the first one was.. and end up confused. Does this happen to you?

Well flowcharts are one aspect especially when working with forms and algorithms that send/receive information, I also try to make visual representations of objects, and if I'm creating a GUI - I will always sketch what I vision the final project to look like.

[TcM]

Hmm I always have problems in creating GUI's :S I'm not much of a designer.. that it another problem I encounter.

[WingedPanther]

My sketch work sometimes includes flowcharts, sometimes it's just a set of functions with a comment about what I expect them to do. It depends a lot on the scope of the project. When I do DB conversions, I tend to have an excel sheet with a rough field conversion list and a few functions for the major chunks of the conversion.