Tips for Writing Computer Programs

When you’re ready to write a computer program, keep these how-to tips on programming in mind so the program you create has clear instructions for the computer to carry out tasks effectively:

• Use descriptive variable names.
• Use appropriate data types.
• Write programs that are easy to read and understand.
• Use simple algorithms and data structures whenever possible.
• Comment your program liberally. (Or, as an alternative, make your code so clear and easy to read that you don’t need comments in the first place.)
• Write modular programs by dividing a large program into several smaller programs that you isolate from one another.
• Test boundary conditions by giving your program extremely high and extremely low numbers.
• Choose the right algorithm and data structure for your program.
• Eliminate all unnecessary instructions or variables.
• Make your program work first; then worry about optimizing the program to make it smaller and faster. Remember that a slow, bloated program that works is preferable to a small, fast program that doesn’t work.