What are the steps for writing a good and easily understood computer program ?

The steps for writing good, easily understood, and useful computer programs are: Problem Analysis: The programmer must be sure that he understands the problem and how to solve it. He must begin with clear objective of the program, the nature of the output and the input to consider for getting the desired output. Design: The programmer must find out a logical sequence of precise steps that solve the problem i.e. algorithm. It help the programmer break down a problem into a sequence of small tasks the computer can perform to solve the problem. It may also involve using representative data to test the logic of the algorithm by hand to ensure that it is correct. Coding: The process for writing the program is called coding. The programmer uses the algorithm devised in the design stage along with the choice of the programming language to code the program. The program should be precise, free from unnecessary variables and executable. Testing and Debugging: Testing is the process of checking, if the program is working as expected and finding errors in the program. Debugging is the process of correcting errors that are found (An error in a program is called a bug.). The process involves the location and removal of error in the program, if any. Documentation: This stage consists of organising all the material that describes the program. The documentation of the program is intended to allow another person or the programmer at a later date, to understand the program. Although documentation is listed as the last step in the program development cycle, it should take place as the program is being coded.