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+--- Thread: Program project planning (/showthread.php?tid=1519)
Program project planning - James D Jarvis - 03-03-2023
Sometimes I actually plan a project before I start coding. That can involve actual diagrams and notes for myself. Here's a planner sheet for just one tiny part of a project; the attached image is the firing arc options for a spaceship combat game somewhat like super-trek but using hexes for a different look.
![[Image: firing-arc-chart.png]](https://i.ibb.co/GF7W8Mf/firing-arc-chart.png)
Sometimes I'll even draw a flowchart.
RE: Program project planning - SMcNeill - 03-04-2023
The main thing I ever find myself planning for, before just sitting down and starting to code, is the data structure I think I'm going to need for my project.
TYPE whatever
x as integer
y as integer
width as integer
height as integer
kolor as _unsigned long
background as _unsigned long
xmove as _float
ymove as _float
and so on...
END TYPE
Of course, I'll often have to expand or alter that type as I actually get into the project, but it gives me a starting point for the minimum of what I want my code to be able to accomplish. A good data structure is a good roadmap to knowing what needs to be implemented on piece at a time into your program. I find them even more useful than any sort of flowchart or whatnot that Ive ever personally created for myself.
RE: Program project planning - TerryRitchie - 03-04-2023
(03-04-2023, 12:13 AM)SMcNeill Wrote: The main thing I ever find myself planning for, before just sitting down and starting to code, is the data structure I think I'm going to need for my project.
TYPE whatever
x as integer
y as integer
width as integer
height as integer
kolor as _unsigned long
background as _unsigned long
xmove as _float
ymove as _float
and so on...
END TYPE
Of course, I'll often have to expand or alter that type as I actually get into the project, but it gives me a starting point for the minimum of what I want my code to be able to accomplish. A good data structure is a good roadmap to knowing what needs to be implemented on piece at a time into your program. I find them even more useful than any sort of flowchart or whatnot that Ive ever personally created for myself.
Yep, that's how I usually start out too, by road mapping the UDTs that I may use in the project. Amazing how the UDTs morph and change though as new and better ideas come to mind while setting down the road.
RE: Program project planning - James D Jarvis - 03-04-2023
When I do use flowcharts it looks more like a story about what happens to the data as opposed to the functional control flow they taught me in school. Sometimes you discover you over planned, other times you realize oops I need this piece too.
Just working on that chart I posted I realized... do I want to have combined firing arcs or not since I'm doing 3-D space battles in 2d?