[Tutor] [OT] Programming practice was: Re: string list in alphabetical!

[Sydney Shall]

On 22/10/2013 00:42, Alan Gauld wrote:
> On 22/10/13 00:07, Steven D'Aprano wrote:
>
>>> I'd like to upgrade that process :D ...
>>>
>>> 1) think about your problem
>>> 2) if there are some heplful libraries that can make it way easier, 
>>> use them
>>> 3) write some code
>>> 4) fix the bugs until it'll run
>>> 5) write unittests
>>> 6) test if it works correctly and if unittests pass
>>> 7) repeat until done
>>
>>
>> Heh, very true! But the most important step is step 1,
>
> I agree. I've recently started coaching the son of a friend in 
> computing for his new school (he is effectively a year behind
> his new classmates). They use VB6 but at a level I can cope with! :-)
>
> The interesting thing however is that the schools have not taught
> any kind of approach to problem solving, they just give a homework 
> assignment and expect them to produce code. My friend wants to
> dive into Vuisual Studio to start work immediately. I've been
> trying to get him to adopt a workflow where he writes on paper
> an informal "use case" description of the solution and if
> necessary a pseudo code design. But it's been a real challenge
> to get him to slow down and understand exactly what he is being
> asked to do before diving into code. (Some of that is just
> natural youthful impatience, but mostly it's lack of instruction
> in an alternative! :-)
>
Alan,
I am a newcomer to Python programing.
Could you please explain exactly what you mean by 'an informal "use 
case" description of the solution ..'?
I am not clear how this differs from pseudo code design.
Thanks to you all for your generous and always invaluable help.
Sydney

-- 
Sydney Shall
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