Researching and understanding the problem is an important part of the programming process. Often, there will be documentation from team-mates to explain the requirements in more detail. Incorporating that into your plan is important.
When working on computer code, programmers might research if anyone else has worked on this problem, or similar ones before. There might be ‘libraries’ of code for your language of choice already available that will assist you. Or there might be articles explaining an approach, or problems you might run into. Programmers frequently share their knowledge and expertise online. This can be really valuable when working on topics that are new to us. The screenshot below of Hacker Noon is an example of a blog that programmers might use to find out more information:
When you’ve got a first version of your code, it’s also important to test it. This is not only so you know it works, but also so that you know it meets the expectations of your users. By testing it, you have a chance to discover what was incorrect in your plan, and what you might alter. Rather than trying to get everything right all at once, it’s much easier to make small changes, test them, and then adjust as appropriate.
The tea-making algorithm might seem like a very simple problem, but it illustrates many of the processes that make for good computer programs: understanding the problem, researching the topic, making a plan, and testing your code.