The Program Development Cycle - Creating the Source Code

The Program Development Cycle has its own steps. In the first step, you use an editor to create a disk file containing your source code. In the second step, you compile the source code to create an object file. In the third step, you link the compiled code to create an executable file. The fourth step is to run the program to see whether it works as originally planned.

Source code is a series of statements or commands that are used to instruct the computer to perform your desired tasks. As mentioned, the first step in the Program Development Cycle is to enter source code into an editor. For example, here is a line of C source code:

printf("Hello, Mom!");

This statement instructs the computer to display the message Hello, Mom! on-screen. (For now, don't worry about how this statement works.)

Using an Editor

Most compilers come with a built-in editor that can be used to enter source code; however, some don't. Consult your compiler manuals to see whether your compiler came with an editor. If it didn't, many alternative editors are available.

Most computer systems include a program that can be used as an editor. If you're using a UNIX system, you can use such editors as ed, ex, edit, emacs, or vi. If you're using Microsoft Windows, Notepad is available. If you're using MS/DOS 5.0 or later, you can use Edit. If you're using a version of DOS before 5.0, you can use Edlin. If you're using PC/DOS 6.0 or later, you can use E. If you're using OS/2, you can use the E and EPM editors. However, I personally feel that CodeBlocks is the best IDE ( Integrated Development Tool ). I will tell you in future posts how to set up CodeBlocks for development in C.

Most word processors use special codes to format their documents. These codes can't be read correctly by other programs. The American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) has specified a standard text format that nearly any program, including C, can use. Many word processors, such as WordPerfect, AmiPro, Word, WordPad, and WordStar, are capable of saving source files in ASCII form (as a text file rather than a document file). When you want to save a word processor's file as an ASCII file, select the ASCII or text option when saving.

If none of these editors is what you want to use, you can always buy a different editor. There are packages, both commercial and shareware, that have been designed specifically for entering source code.

---

NOTE: To find alternative editors, you can check your local computer store or computer mail-order catalogs. Another place to look is in the ads in computer programming magazines.

---

When you save a source file, you must give it a name. The name should describe what the program does. In addition, when you save C program source files, give the file a .C extension. Although you could give your source file any name and extension, .C is recognized as the appropriate extension to use.


“Anger is the enemy of non-violence
and pride is a monster that swallows it up.”
~ Mahatma Gandhi
(1869-1948)