How do you write code for programming ?

Writing code is really just a disciplined way of turning an idea → a set of instructions → a working, maintainable program. A reliable routine looks something like this:

Stage	What You Actually Do	Why It Matters
1. Clarify the problem	Talk through requirements, sketch inputs/outputs, list edge-cases.	Saves you from “building the wrong thing.”
2. Design a solution	Draft algorithms, data structures, or an architecture diagram. Write short pseudocode or a sequence diagram.	Gives you a roadmap before you touch the keyboard.
3. Set up your environment	Pick a language + tooling, create a new repo, configure a linter/formatter, install dependencies.	Fast feedback loops and consistent style from day 1.
4. Write tests first (or at least alongside)	Start with the simplest unit tests that capture core behavior.	Makes requirements executable; lets you refactor fearlessly.
5. Code iteratively in small slices	Implement one tiny feature, run the tests, commit, repeat.	Easier to debug, easier to review.
6. Use version control wisely	Branch per feature, commit often with clear messages. Push early, open a draft PR.	Enables collaboration and rollback safety.
7. Run automated checks	Linter, static analysis (e.g., mypy, eslint), and your test suite in CI.	Catches issues before they reach production.
8. Refactor and document	Rename for clarity, extract helper functions, update README / docstrings.	Keeps long-term maintenance cost low.
9. Get a code review	Ask a teammate (or rubber-duck with yourself) for feedback.	Surfaces bugs and spreads knowledge.
10. Deploy & monitor	Package, release, set up logging/metrics, respond to runtime issues.	Turns code into real value and ensures it keeps working.

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A miniature example (Python)

python
from typing import List

def median(nums: List[float]) -> float:
    """Return the median of a non-empty list of numbers."""
    if not nums:
        raise ValueError("nums must be non-empty")

    nums_sorted = sorted(nums)
    n = len(nums_sorted)
    mid = n // 2

    if n % 2:                     # odd length
        return nums_sorted[mid]
    else:                         # even length
        return (nums_sorted[mid - 1] + nums_sorted[mid]) / 2

1. Tests first

   python
   import pytest
   
   def test_median_even():
       assert median([2, 4, 1, 3]) == 2.5
   
   def test_median_odd():
       assert median([3, 1, 2]) == 2

2. Run linting (ruff, black) and type-checking (mypy) on save.

3. Commit with message “feat(stats): implement median with tests”.

4. Open PR, request review, fix any comments, merge.

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Tips that make the process smoother

• Break problems into sub-functions early. Functions under ~20 lines are easier to reason about and test.
• Name things well—clear naming is documentation.
• Automate everything repeatable (virtual-env creation, test runs, packaging) with a Makefile or task runner.
• Keep learning your language’s idioms. The same algorithm can be clear Python but terrible Java, or vice-versa.
• Write docs like you write tests—as part of the definition of done, not an afterthought.

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Next step? Let me know what you’re trying to build (a script, web API, game, etc.) and the language you prefer, and I can walk you through a concrete starter template or help design the architecture!