Today, computer programs are implemented and everywhere, from cars to smart phones now have computer programs built into them. In an increasingly digitalized world, the need for new programs will always increase. If you have a good idea, you can actually program it yourself. Read the article below to find out how you can start learning a programming language, develop an idea into a tested product, and then continue iterating over your product development process until it's ready to be released and used.
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Method 1 of 6: Looking for Ideas
Step 1. Find ideas
A good program will perform tasks that make life easier for its users. Take a look at a program that can now do the task you want it to, and see if there's a way to make the process easier or shorter. A successful program is a program that is useful to its users.
- Check the daily tasks you do with your computer. Is there a way to automate one or more parts of your task with a program?
- Write down all the ideas that come to your mind, even if they sound stupid and impossible. It could be a stupid idea that turns into something extraordinary.
Step 2. Check for other programs
What does the program do? What can they improve on the program? What are the drawbacks? These questions can help you come up with your own ideas.
Step 3. Design the program
The program design in question is the big picture of the features you want to create in your program. Always referring to this design in the program development process will help keep your project on track and focused. Designing a program can also help you determine what programming language is the most appropriate for your project.
Step 4. Start simple
When you are just learning programming, you have to start small and grow slowly. You'll learn a lot if you set reasonable, achievable goals with a basic program.
Method 2 of 6: Learning a Programming Language
Step 1. Download a good text editor
Almost all programs are typed in a text editor and then run on the computer. While you can use a program like Notepad or TextEdit, it's a good idea to download a text editor that highlights programming syntax like Notepad++, JEdit, or Sublime Text. This will make your code visually easier to parse.
Some languages, such as Visual Basic, already have an editor and compiler in one package
Step 2. Learn programming languages
All programs are made through a coding process. If you want to program yourself, then you must master at least one programming language. The language you need to learn may vary depending on the type of program you want to create. Some useful and important programming languages include:
- C - C is a low level language that interacts very closely with computer hardware. This language is one of the oldest programming languages that is still widely used.
- C++ - The biggest drawback of C is that it is not object-based. This is where C++ comes in handy. C++ is currently the most popular programming language in the world. Programs like Chrome, Firefox, Photoshop, and others are built using C++. This language is also very popularly used in making video games.
- Java - Java is an evolution of C++ and is highly portable. Most computers, regardless of operating system, can run the Java Virtual Machine, and allow Java-based programs to be used on any computer. It is also frequently used in video games and software for business, and is often recommended as an essential language.
- C# - C# is a Windows-based language and one of the main languages used to create Windows programs. This language has strong ties to Java and C++ and should be easy to master if you are already familiar with Java. If you want to program Windows or Windows Phone, you need to learn this language.
- Objective-C - Another cousin of the C language. This one is specially designed for Apple systems. If you want to create iPhone or iPad apps, then you need to master this language.
Step 3. Download the compiler or interpreter
For high-level programming languages like C++, Java, and others, you need a compiler to convert the code you type into a format your computer can use. There are many compilers to choose from depending on the language you are using.
Some programming languages are interpreted languages, which means they don't need a compiler. This language needs an interpreter, not a compiler, in order to run on a computer. Some examples of languages that have been interpreted include Perl and Python
Step 4. Learn basic programming concepts
Whatever language you use, you will need an understanding of some basic programming concepts. Knowing how to handle language syntax will allow you to build better programs. Common basic concepts include:
- Declaring variables - Variables are how data is temporarily stored in your program. This data can be stored, modified, manipulated, and recalled within your program.
- Use conditional statements (if, else, when, and others) - These statements are one of the basic functions of a program, and dictate how the logic of a program works. Conditional statements revolve around statements that are true (true) and false (false).
- Using loops (for, goto, do, and others) - Loops or loops allow you to repeat one or more processes over and over until you get a command or condition to stop.
- Using escape sequences - The escape sequence command performs functions such as creating new lines, indents, or quotes.
- Commenting on your code - Commenting on code is very useful for remembering what each of your code does, helping others understand your code, and temporarily shutting down parts of your code.
- Understand basic expressions.
Step 5. Find a book about your preferred programming language
There are books out there on all kinds of programming languages, and for all skill levels. You can find many programming books at your local bookstore or search for them online. A book can be an invaluable resource because it is always available to you while developing your program.
Apart from books, the internet is also a place full of guides and lessons. Look for guidance on your preferred programming language on websites such as CodeAcademy, Code.org, Bento, Udacity, Udemy, Khan Academy, W3Schools, and many more
Step 6. Take the course
With a little intention, anyone can learn to program on their own. But sometimes having a teacher and classroom environment that can teach can be very useful. Consulting and learning directly from an experienced person can reduce the time you need to learn programming fundamentals and concepts. Courses or classes are also great places to learn the advanced math and logic needed to create more complex programs.
You need money to take courses, so make sure you enroll in a course that will help you learn
Step 7. Ask
The internet is an excellent place to contact other developers. If you're having trouble with your project, ask or ask for help on websites like StackOverflow. Make sure you ask nicely and intelligently and prove that you've tried several possible solutions.
Method 3 of 6: Creating a Program Prototype
Step 1. Start creating a basic program with its main functions
This will be a prototype that demonstrates the functionality you want to achieve. Prototype is a fast program, and should be iterated over until you find a design that works well. For example, if you create a calendar program, your prototype will be in the form of a regular calendar (with the correct date) with a way to add events to it.
- Your prototype will change frequently during the development cycle and as new ways to solve problems or ideas emerge that you want to incorporate.
- Prototypes don't have to look good. In fact, appearance is something you think about last. Using the calendar example above, your prototype should be just text.
- If you're making games, your prototype should be fun. If your prototype isn't exciting, then your game probably won't be.
- If the mechanism you want doesn't work on your prototype, then you may need to redesign or improve your code.
Step 2. Form a team
If you are developing your own program, you can use prototypes to help you build a team. A team will help you find and find bugs more quickly, iterate over features, and design your program's appearance.
- If your project is small, you may not need a team. However, the team was able to significantly shorten program development time.
- Working as a team is a complex and difficult process, and requires good management skills backed by a good team structure.
Step 3. Start over from scratch if necessary
Once you feel you have mastered the programming language you are learning, you may be able to build a working prototype in just a few days. Because it can be created in a short amount of time, don't be afraid to throw away your original idea and start over with a different point of view or approach if you don't like the outcome of the original idea. Making major changes is much easier at this stage than at later stages when features of your program are already difficult to change.
Step 4. Comment on everything
Use the comment syntax in programming languages to include notes on everything in your code (except basic lines of code). This will help you remember where you worked and what each code does, as well as help other developers understand your code. Commenting is especially important if you work as a team.
You can also use the comment syntax to temporarily turn off some parts of your code. Just install the syntax at the beginning and end of the code you want to kill. You can restore the code by removing the comment syntax
Method 4 of 6: Alpha Stage
Step 1. Form a pilot team
In the alpha stage, the test team can and should be small. A small group will help you provide more focused feedback and allow you to interact with the examiners individually. Each time you make an update to the prototype, send it to the test team. They will then try all the available features and also try to find your program's weaknesses, and record the results they get.
- If you are creating a commercial program, you need to ensure that all of your testers have signed an agreement not to divulge your product to any party to prevent your program from going out to the public and harming you.
- Make a solid trial plan. Make sure the testers you hire have an easy way to report bugs and access the latest version of your program. GitHub and similar platforms are a great way to manage this.
Step 2. Continue testing your prototype
Bugs are the thing that all developers hate the most. Code errors and unexpected usage can cause all sorts of problems with your product. As you keep working on it, keep testing your prototype as often as possible. Do everything you can think of to find the weakness, then try to cover it up.
- If your program is dealing with dates, try entering odd dates. Dates far in the past or in the future will probably produce strange responses in your program.
- Enter the wrong variable. For example, if you have a form that asks for an age, try entering the letters and see what happens.
- If your program has a visual interface, try clicking it all over the place. What happens when you return to the previous screen, or click the buttons in the wrong order?
Step 3. Record and treat bugs according to their priority level
When you revise an alpha version of a program, you will spend a lot of time fixing features that aren't working properly. When tidying up bug reports from the test team, rank the bugs by two things: severity and priority.
- The severity of a bug is measured by how destructive it is. A bug that causes a program to crash, corrupts data, and prevents the program from stopping is known as a blocker. Features that do not work properly or give incorrect results are called Critical, while features that are difficult to use or have a poor appearance are called Major. In addition there are also Normal, Minor, and Trivial bugs which are minor and not so crucial.
- The priority level determines the order in which you will handle bugs. Fixing bugs in software is a long and time-consuming process that you could use for other things in your program. Because of this, you should prioritize bug fixes to ensure your program continues to grow and stay on schedule. All Blocker and Critical bugs must be assigned the highest priority, which is sometimes referred to as P1. P2 bugs are usually major bugs that will definitely be fixed, but won't prevent the program from being published and used. Bugs P3 and P4 are usually not so important and are only considered as additions or sweeteners.
Step 4. Add the features
In the alpha stage, you will add more features to the program to bring it closer to the program you described in the initial design. The alpha stage is the stage where your prototype will turn into a complete program. Once the alpha phase is over, the program should have all the features planned.
Do not deviate too much from the initial design. A common problem with the software development process is that there are so many new ideas that come up and make the real focus go away and make the development time longer just because you want to work on those additional ideas. You want your program to do its job well, not provide everything you don't need
Step 5. Test each feature after you add it
Once you've added a new feature to your program in the alpha stage, send it to testers. The speed with which new features are created depends on the size of your team and how far your features have progressed.
Step 6. Lock or finalize your feature when the alpha stage is complete
Once you have implemented all the features and functions of the program, you can move on to the next stage. At a later stage, you can no longer add any features, and all features already included should work fine. Now you can go into the broader trial phase and tidy up your program, or the so-called beta stage.
Method 5 of 6: Beta Stage
Step 1. Increase the size of your test team
In beta, the program you create is already available to a larger team of testers. Some developers open the beta stage to the public, or what can be called an open beta. This allows everyone to sign up and get involved in a trial of your product.
The decision whether you should do an open beta or a regular beta depends on what your product requires
Step 2. Test connectivity
As your programs become more interconnected, your product may need to connect to other products or to servers. Beta testing will allow you to ensure that all of this connectivity works well in high usage, or ensure that your program is available to the public.
Step 3. Polish and tidy up your program
In the beta stage, there are no additional features, so your focus can be shifted to improving the aesthetics and usability of the program. At this stage, the design of your program will be a priority, and you must ensure that users can navigate your program and use its features.
- UI design and program functionality can be difficult and complex. Make sure that your program is easy to use and pleasing to the eye. A professional UI may be difficult for beginners to implement and without the expense and a large team.
- If you have the money, there are plenty of freelance graphic designers who can design the UI of your program. If you have a solid project that can turn out to be a success, find a good UI designer and recruit him or her into your team.
Step 4. Keep looking for bugs
During the beta stage, you should continue to note and prioritize bug reports from your users. As the number of testers increases, there is a possibility that more bugs will be found. Handle bugs based on their priority, but keep your final deadline in mind.
Method 6 of 6: Releasing Your Program
Step 1. Market your program
If you want to get users, you have to make sure that people know your program exists. As with any product, you will need to do a little advertising to let people know. How far you go in marketing depends on the functionality of the program as well as the money you have available. Some easy ways to increase public awareness of your program include:
- Post info about your program on related message boards in forums. Make sure you monitor where you post the info so it doesn't come across as spam.
- Submit press releases to tech websites. Look for some tech blogs and websites that match your type of program. Send press releases about your program to the editor of the site or blog, with content covering the program's functions in detail and several screenshots.
- Create YouTube videos. If your program is made to do a specific task, make some YouTube videos showing how your program works. Create catchy titles like “How to…”
- Create social media pages. You can create Facebook and Google+ pages for your program for free, and use Twitter to release updates or other information about your program.
Step 2. Provide the program on your website
For small programs, you can make your program files available on your own website. You may need to install a payment system if you want to charge a fee. If your program is already popular, you may need to make your files available on a server that can handle large downloads.
Step 3. Provide a service center
Once your program is released to the public, you will find users who are having problems or don't know how to use your program. Your website should have comprehensive documentation and guides, as well as a service and help center. This can be provided in the form of forums, emails, live help, or a combination of these, depending on how much money you have.
Step 4. Keep your product updated
In this day and age, almost all programs are regularly updated after they are released. These updates may include fixes to important bugs, changes to security protocols, improvements to stability, or the addition of new functionality or changes to aesthetics. Keep updating your products to stay competitive.
