Question

What four items should you identify when defining what a program is to do?

Short answer

Answer: The four main items to consider are: 1) Defining the purpose, 2) Identifying the target users, 3) Listing the inputs and outputs, and 4) Determining the interaction type.

Step-by-step solution

Item 1: Define the purpose

Determine what the program aims to achieve. This includes the main functionality of the software and is essential for informing the features and design.

Item 2: Identify the target users

Identify the users for whom the program is intended. This helps in designing the software to cater to their needs, requirements, and levels of expertise.

Item 3: List the inputs and outputs

Identify the type of data the program will process and the expected results. This enables the designer to decide on appropriate data types, algorithms, and structures to use in the code.

Item 4: Determine interaction type

Identify how users will interact with the program - through a graphical user interface (GUI), command-line interface (CLI), or some other means. This guides the overall design and functionality of the software, ensuring a smooth user experience.