Design recipe for Java programs, version 1

Analysis and design (i.e. "decide what you want to do")

1. Understand the assignment informally and write down a purpose statement
2. Write a function contract, specifying what kind of information goes in and what kind comes out
3. Write examples of how your function will be used, with correct answers

Coding ("do it")

4. Write a class skeleton (if you don't already have one)
5. Write a method skeleton
6. Add an inventory to the method skeleton
7. Fill in the Function Body

Compiling and testing ("check that you did it right")

8. Compile and syntax-check the program.
9. Test and debug the program.

For the next elaboration of this, see version 2.