Process to pass from problem to code. How did you learn?

Question

I'm teaching/helping a student to program.

I remember the following process always helped me when I started; It looks pretty intuitive and I wonder if someone else have had a similar approach.

1. Read the problem and understand it ( of course ) .
2. Identify possible "functions" and variables.
3. Write how would I do it step by step ( algorithm )
4. Translate it into code, if there is something you cannot do, create a function that does it for you and keep moving.

With the time and practice I seem to have forgotten how hard it was to pass from problem description to a coding solution, but, by applying this method I managed to learn how to program.

So for a project description like:

A system has to calculate the price of an Item based on the following rules ( a description of the rules... client, discounts, availability etc.. etc.etc. )

I first step is to understand what the problem is.

Then identify the item, the rules the variables etc.

pseudo code something like:

function getPrice( itemPrice, quantity , clientAge, hourOfDay ) : int 
   if( hourOfDay > 18 ) then
      discount = 5%

   if( quantity > 10 ) then
      discount = 5%

   if( clientAge > 60 or < 18 ) then
      discount = 5%


        return item_price - discounts...
end

And then pass it to the programming language..

public class Problem1{
    public int getPrice( int itemPrice, int quantity,hourOdDay ) {
        int discount = 0;
        if( hourOfDay > 10 ) {
             // uh uh.. U don't know how to calculate percentage... 
             // create a function and move on.
            discount += percentOf( 5, itemPriece );
            .
            .
            .
            you get the idea..

        }
     }
    public int percentOf( int percent, int i ) {
             // .... 
    }


}

Did you went on a similar approach?.. Did some one teach you a similar approach or did you discovered your self ( as I did :( )

Answer 1

I go via the test-driven approach.

1. I write down (on paper or plain text editor) a list of tests or specification that would satisfy the needs of the problem.

- simple calculations (no discounts and concessions) with:
    - single item
    - two items
    - maximum number of items that doesn't have a discount
- calculate for discounts based on number of items
    - buying 10 items gives you a 5% discount
    - buying 15 items gives you a 7% discount
    - etc.
- calculate based on hourly rates
    - calculate morning rates
    - calculate afternoon rates
    - calculate evening rates
    - calculate midnight rates
- calculate based on buyer's age
    - children
    - adults
    - seniors
- calculate based on combinations
    - buying 10 items in the afternoon

2. Look for the items that I think would be the easiest to implement and write a test for it. E.g single items looks easy

The sample using Nunit and C#.

[Test] public void SingleItems()
{
    Assert.AreEqual(5, GetPrice(5, 1));
}

Implement that using:

public decimal GetPrice(decimal amount, int quantity)
{
    return amount * quantity; // easy!
}

Then move on to the two items.

[Test]
public void TwoItemsItems()
{
    Assert.AreEqual(10, GetPrice(5, 2));
}

The implementation still passes the test so move on to the next test.

3. Be always on the lookout for duplication and remove it. You are done when all the tests pass and you can no longer think of any test.

This doesn't guarantee that you will create the most efficient algorithm, but as long as you know what to test for and it all passes, it will guarantee that you are getting the right answers.