The Art of Code Writing: From Pen and Paper to Modern IDEs

Do you know anyone who writes code with pen and paper? Yes, some programmers and computer scientists do write code on pen and paper, particularly during brainstorming sessions, algorithm design, or when teaching concepts. This practice offers several benefits, including the ability to clarify thoughts and focus on logic without the distractions of a computer. Additionally, writing by hand is a common practice in technical interviews to assess a candidate's problem-solving skills and understanding of programming concepts. Some people also find that writing by hand aids memory retention and comprehension.

Interestingly, we've all learned to program in similar ways. Today, most programmers rely heavily on their editing tools to do most of the detailed thinking. If you wrote all of your own code, you should be able to read it! If you let your tools generate the code for you, then it might be more like reading someone else's code.

Modern Development Tools and IDEs

One of the best tools today are symbolic debuggers built into the Integrated Development Environment (IDE). These tools allow you to run and debug code more efficiently. However, if you're just editing code, running the compiler, and running the code, it can take more work to display the values of variables. In this case, having tests is probably the best bet to capture weird coding errors because you can localize parts and know what to expect. Testing can be effective in verifying that the code behaves as expected.

Manual Coding Techniques

For programmers who still prefer the pen and paper, several techniques can be applied during the initial design phases or for debugging and understanding code. Here are some examples:

Trace Table: Use a trace table as an organized way of keeping track of variables. Trace tables are particularly useful for understanding the flow of data and the state of variables throughout the execution of a program. Physical Manipulatives: Use a pack of cards to move values around. This can be particularly useful to simulate simple structures, sorts, and searches. By physically moving the cards, you can gain a deeper understanding of how the algorithm works.

Ultimately, using your brain is essential for any programmer. I often called the 'walking compiler' by my friends because I could mentally compile and debug code. However, it's a skill that requires practice and is valuable for interviews and everyday coding challenges. Here's an example to demonstrate:

begin  WriteLn('Hello');end.

Do you really need a compiler for this? Probably not, as you can easily guess that it will write the string 'Hello' somewhere, likely a console. Let's make it a bit more challenging:

begin  WriteLn(12);end.

Do you still need a compiler? Nope! You can use your brain to calculate that 12 is 3 because you know basic arithmetic. Let's add a bit more complexity:

var  i: Integer;begin  ReadLn(i);  if i > 0 then    WriteLn('Positive')  else if i 

Might be getting harder, but not that hard. Not difficult to look up that ReadLn(i) asks for an integer input that will be stored in variable i. Then the if-else if-else sequence can be read easily as English: if the value of i is greater than 0, then it's positive, less than 0, then it's negative, and if it's 0, then it's zero.

This exercise demonstrates how mental coding can be a valuable skill. Understanding the flow and logic of the code without relying solely on tools can enhance your problem-solving abilities and make you a better programmer.

The combination of modern IDEs and traditional pen-and-paper techniques can greatly enhance your coding skills. Whether you prefer to work with tools or stick to manual methods, the key is to practice and stay flexible. Happy coding!