Program project planning

[James D Jarvis]

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.  




Sometimes I'll even draw a flowchart.

[SMcNeill]

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.

[TerryRitchie]

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.

[James D Jarvis]

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?