---
title: "Steps to develop a computer program"
subject: "Computer Programming"
chapter: 2
key: "semester_1/computer_programming:steps-develop-program"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_1/computer_programming/steps-develop-program
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Steps to develop a computer program

Computer Programming · Chapter 2: Problem solving using Computer

- Asked in: 2074 Asoj, 6 marks; 2074 Chaitra, 2 marks; 2071 Shrawan, 4 marks; 2070 Asar, 5 marks; 2069 Asar, 4 marks; 2067 Asoj, 3 marks (asked 6 times)
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_1/computer_programming/steps-develop-program
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_1/computer_programming/chapter-2

## Question

What are the steps required to develop a computer program for solving a problem? Explain.

## Short answer

Program development involves problem definition, analysis of inputs/outputs, design with algorithms/flowcharts, coding, compilation, testing/debugging, documentation, and maintenance. For example, finding area of a circle: input radius, process area = 3.14 * r * r, output area.

## Answer

A program is developed in a series of steps called the program development life cycle.

```text
 Problem definition
        |
 Analysis --> Design (algorithm, flowchart)
        |
 Coding --> Compile / Test / Debug
        |
 Documentation --> Maintenance
```

1. **Problem definition:** understand clearly what the problem is and what is required.
2. **Analysis:** identify inputs, outputs, processing needed, and constraints.
3. **Design:** plan the solution using an algorithm, pseudo-code or flowchart, before writing any code.
4. **Coding:** write the program in a suitable programming language following its syntax.
5. **Compilation:** the compiler reports syntax errors, which the programmer corrects; then the linker creates the executable.
6. **Testing and debugging:** run with sample data to find logical and runtime errors, and correct them.
7. **Documentation:** write comments, user manual and technical description.
8. **Maintenance:** update the program for new needs and fix errors found later.

Example: to find the area of a circle, the input is the radius, the output is the area, the process is `area = 3.14 * r * r`; this is converted into an algorithm, coded in C, tested with r = 2 (area 12.56) and documented.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Which sequence is correct?
   A. Coding, analysis, design, definition
   B. Design, coding, problem definition, analysis
   C. Problem definition, analysis, design, coding, testing
   D. Testing, coding, design, analysis
   Answer: C. Planning comes before coding. (Key point: Order)

2. Analysis identifies
   A. only syntax errors
   B. only the language to use
   C. the user manual
   D. inputs, outputs, processing and constraints
   Answer: D. Analysis defines what goes in, comes out and how. (Key point: Analysis)

3. In the design step we
   A. plan with algorithm, pseudo-code or flowchart before coding
   B. write the C code
   C. run the debugger
   D. write the user manual
   Answer: A. Design precedes code. (Key point: Design)

4. Testing and debugging find and correct
   A. only spelling of comments
   B. logical and runtime errors
   C. hardware faults
   D. only linker warnings
   Answer: B. Sample data reveals logic/runtime errors. (Key point: Testing and debugging)

5. For circle area, testing with r = 2 gives area
   A. 6.28
   B. 25.12
   C. 12.56
   D. 3.14
   Answer: C. 3.14*2*2 = 12.56. (Key point: Example)

## Related in Computer Programming

- [Computer program and programming](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_1%2Fcomputer_programming%3Adefine-program-programming) — Computer Programming, chapter 2
- [Structure of a FORTRAN program](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_1%2Fcomputer_programming%3Afortran-structure) — Computer Programming, chapter 11, asked 5×
- [Features of a good program](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_1%2Fcomputer_programming%3Afeatures-good-program) — Computer Programming, chapter 1
- [Correct program: case array and average](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_1%2Fcomputer_programming%3Acorrect-program-case-array) — Computer Programming, chapter 3
- [Correct program: do-while and pow](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_1%2Fcomputer_programming%3Acorrect-program-sum-root) — Computer Programming, chapter 3
- [Correct program: Celsius to Fahrenheit](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_1%2Fcomputer_programming%3Acorrect-program-celsius-fahrenheit) — Computer Programming, chapter 3

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