A simple program typically consists of steps that perform input, processing, and output, in that order.

To
build a program to work correctly you must first develop correct logic. Logic is another way of saying
that the programs instructions must be in an exact sequence to perform steps or instructions. The
instruction to input is called an input operation where a variable is used. The instruction set of
processing is a processing operation. Lastly the instruction set for the output is called simply, the output
operation. In a simple program there is a programming language where the syntax of the language may
be different but the same program logic can be translated in different languages.
(Programming Logic and Design Book pages 5-7)

The program development cycle can be explained by these seven steps:

1. Understand the problem.
Basically the professional programmer is providing a service to users where they must develop and
understand what the end user wants and needs. Documentation is usually provided to pin point what
the users and/or client desires for a program and how they need it to be. Understanding the problem is
said to be the most difficult phase of the development cycle.
2. Plan the logic.
This stage is where the programmer plans a solution and steps of the program. Two common planning
tools are used, flowcharts and pseudocode. When planning the program the programmer develops an
algorithm which are the steps to follow to solve a problem. They use a process of desk-checking before
actually writing the program in this step.
3. Code the program.
To code the program is for the programmer to write the source code for the program. They choose the
programming languages to handle input/output operations, arithmetic processing, and other functions
that are standard. After selecting the languages they choose the correct syntax or grammar for each.
4. Use software to translate the program into machine language.
After coding then the programmer would translate the languages into machine code which is mainly 1's
and 0's. They may have used Visual Basic or Java which is a compiler that change the high-level
programming language into low-level machine language so that the computer can comprehend.
5. Test the program.
Now on stage 5 the programmer must text the executable program. All syntax errors must be corrected
as well as the logical errors. The process used is called debugging and you debug a program by testing it
using several sets of data.
6. Put the program into production.

After the program is debugged and fully tested the programmer presents to user either by running the
program once or if written, shown to the user . This may be the longest part of the development cycle
because depending on conversion all users of the new program must be trained to understand the
format of the program.
7. Maintain the program.
Once the program is active and being used this step is mainly for maintenance for the future of the
program. You must maintain the program for longevity and by this I mean keep up with any changes
that the program may have to endure. If too many changes need to take place then sometimes the
program will be retired and the program development cycle will be started for a new program.
(Programming Logic and Design book pages 7-14)