As CS Students, we should know that the Programming Assignment Submission doesn’t mean submitting only the code. We have to “Document Programming Assignment Requirements” along with the working code.
Whether we are a CS Student or Developers, if we want to increase the Clarity and Success of our work, then we have to well document the Programming Assignment Requirements, which is not a simple task.
Properly documenting your requirements is a critical first step, and if you need guidance through the rest of the coding process, you can always get expert help with your programming assignments.
In this article, we will let you know the steps to document a Programming Assignment Requirements and how to write a Programming Assignment Document with a proper example. So, allow us to begin our discussion.
Summary Or Key Highlights:
- A Structured Written Record of any program is known as the Programming Assignment Documentation.
- There is a proper way to write the Programming Assignment Documentation for any problem.
- We have to note 10 Requirements before writing the Programming Assignment Documentation.
- With a proper example, we will show the writing process of a Programming Assignment Document.
- At last, we will provide a Downloadable Template for Programming Assignment Documentation.
What Is The Programming Assignment Documentation?
Programming Assignment Documentation is like a Blueprint that lets us know every detail of the program. It serves as a guide for individuals reading or evaluating the program.
When an individual looks at the Assignment Documentation, they can understand every detail of the program, like “What the code is performing”, “How it is performing”, “What condition applies to it”, etc.
So, to get a good score on a Programming Assignment, submitting only a working code is not enough. We have to write the complete Programming Assignment Documentation, which will provide every detail.
What Are Some Requirements In The Programming Assignment Documentation?
To write down a good Programming Assignment Documentation, we have to note down its requirements. In this section, we will let you know about the Requirements of the Programming Assignment Documentation.
There are 10 Requirements that we have to keep in mind while writing the Programming Assignment Documentation. Let us check them one by one carefully.
Requirement 1: Understanding The Programming Assignment
The very first requirement that most students ignore is knowing about the Programming Assignment Need. We have to understand what the Programming Assignment is asking of us.
Every programming assignment is different from the other. So, going through their surface will not clear the intent of the assignment. We have to deep dive into the question to understand every aspect.
To understand the Programming Assignment perfectly, you can follow the tips below:
- We have to go through the assignment at least two times to understand it.
- If there are any Action Words like ‘Implement’, ‘Calculate’, etc., then we have to mark them.
- We have to note down the Programming Instructions if there is anything present.
- If there is any doubt, we have to quickly clarify it with the instructor or fellow students, or, if needed, explore external support while being aware of how much programming assignment help costs.
Requirement 2: Writing The Problem Statement In Own Words
The next requirement will be to write down the Problem Statement in your own words. From this stage, we can say, we have started writing the Programming Assignment Documentation.
Whatever, we have understood by going through the Programming Assignment; we have to write it down at this stage. This will help the reviewer and the programmer to understand the problem more easily.
The following tips can be used to write down the Problem Statement in our own words.
- We have to write the Problem Statement concisely by mentioning all the necessary details.
- There is no need to include any Technical Terms unless it is very important.
- The Main Goal of the Programming Assignment should be mentioned in the problem statement.
- We have to verify the alignment between the Problem Statement and the Assignment.
Requirement 3: Defining The Functional Needs
After writing about the Problem Statement, we have to write down the Functional Needs. The Functional Needs will describe the working of the program in simple terms so that a novice can also understand.
The Functional Needs will show the Core Function of the program. With some Actionable Items, we have to show the working of the program and the generation of the output in the console.
You can follow the tips below to define the Functional Needs in your programming assignment documentation.
- We have to use the Bullet Points to mark the Functional Needs in the documentation.
- To increase Readability. Single Responsibilities will be written in each bullet point.
- We have to focus only on the Featured-essential in the Functional Needs for the Solving Program.
- We have to keep the needs more User-Focused than the Implementation-Focused.
Requirement 4: Defining The Non-Functional Needs (Optional)
The next requirement is optional while writing the Programming Assignment Documentation. This requirement will talk about the Non-Functional Needs in the programming assignment.
The Non-Functional Needs will not show the working of the code. This will show how the code works. Also, in the Non-Functional Needs, we can point out some instructions to understand the program’s limitations.
To write down the Non-Functional Needs in the Assignment Documentation, the following tips can be used.
- The Non-Functional Needs should also be marked in Bullet or Numbered Lists.
- We can write down some Language-specific rules if anything is present in the assignment.
- We can note the Naming Convention and other programming styles in Non-Functional Needs.
- If there is any Performance Goal, we can also mention that in the Non-Functional Needs.
Requirement 5: Making The Input And Output Table
The next requirement in the Programming Assignment Documentation will show the Input and Output of the program. To show the Input and Output of the program, we will use a table.
By providing the Input and Output, we are informing the user about the type of data that the program can accept. In that case, the user will not give any wrong input to the code, which can cause errors.
Let us check the following tips, which can help us while making the Input and Output Table.
- In a single table, we have to write about the Input and Output of the program.
- The Type and Format of the Input and Output should be mentioned in the table.
- We have to write the Input and Output Variable Names in the table as well.
- Some Input and Output example values can be given to the table to make it more realistic.
Requirement 6: Write Assumptions And Constraints
After writing about the Input and Output in the Programming Assignment Documentation, it is time to mention the Scope of your program. And that can be done by mentioning the Assumptions and Constraints.
If we are assuming some conditions are true in our program, then such conditions should be written in the Assumptions. If there are any Boundaries of the program, then that should be noted in the Constraints.
To write about the Assumptions and Constraints, we can follow the tips below.
- If there are any Input and Output-related assumptions, those should be mentioned.
- If we have used any External Code Sources, we should mention that as well.
- While writing the Assumptions and Constraints, we should be honest and mention every detail.
Requirement 7: Insertion Of Flowchart Or Pseudo-Code (Optional)
The next requirement is also an Optional Requirement, which is talking about the Flowchart or Pseudo-Code Insertion. If we are working on any Complex Assignment, then only we can insert it.
The Visual Flowchart or Simplified Code Logic helps to understand the code’s working without any issues. That is the reason; the Flowchart or Pseudo-Codes should be added for Complicated Programs, not for simple ones.
We can use the following tips while inserting a Flowchart or Pseudo-Code into the programming assignments.
- If the Logic is very simple and short, we can use the Pseudo-Code.
- If the Logic is very Complex and has Branches, then the Flowchart will be used.
- In the Flowchart, the Standard Symbols like Circle, Square, etc. should be used.
Requirement 8: Insertion Of The Complete Program
After insertion of the Pseudo-Code or the Flowchart, we have to insert the Complete Program in the Programming Assignment Documentation, which is the most crucial step.
A Complete and Clean Program helps to validate the information that we have provided in the documentation. Also, in this way, all necessary information becomes available with the documentation.
We can check the following tips while inserting the working code into the Assignment Documentation.
- Before inserting, we have to make sure the code is Indented and Formatted.
- We have to write the program by following the Naming Conventions.
- The program should have the proper comments that will show the logic of the statements.
Requirement 9: Information About The Used Tools and Technologies
After inserting the working program, we have to create a section that will show the Information related to the Tools and Technologies used to implement that program for the documentation.
The Tools and Technologies Information helps to provide Technical Insights about the program. This information will help other students understand the compatibility of the code.
Let us check the following tips, which will help us write information about the Tools and Technologies.
- Along with the Tool and Technology Name, we have to mention its version.
- If we have used any Third-Party Libraries, then we have to mention them.
- If there is any Setup Required for the code, we also have to write it down in this section.
- If the Code is Platform-Dependent, then the Operating System details have to be provided.
Requirement 10: Information Of The Author
The last but not least requirement is the Information of the Author. When we submit the Programming Assignment Documentation, it is important to know about its Author for authenticity.
Also, with every Programming Assignment Documentation, some marks or scores are associated. So, if we submit a Programming Assignment without Author Information, all the hard work will go in vain.
We can use the following tips while providing the Information of the Author to the assignment.
- We have to write down the Full Name of the Author.
- Along with the Author’s Name, the Submission Date and Last Modified Date should be mentioned.
- If there is any Assignment Number, then we have to also mark that.
- This section should be placed either at the Beginning or at the End of the documentation.
Practical Example On Documenting Programming Assignment Requirements:
We hope, from the above discussion, that the Programming Assignment Requirements have become clear to you. Now, in this section, we will show how to document the Programming Assignment Requirements.
For that purpose, we will take a Real-world problem as a Programming Assignment and write down the entire Programming Assignment Documentation. So, let us check the documentation writing process.
Assignment Overview:
Write A Java Program Which Will Multiply Two Integer Inputs And Shows The Result.
Problem Statement:
The task of the assignment is to create a Java Program that will take Two Integer Inputs from the user. It will multiply the Integer Values and show the output on the screen.
Functional Needs:
- The program will accept Two Integer Values from the user.
- The program will multiply the integers and store the result in a variable.
- At last, the program will use that variable and print the multiplication result.
Non-Functional Needs:
- We should only use the Java Programming Language.
- We have to follow the Proper Indentation and Naming Conventions.
Input And Output Table:
Type | Variable Name | Datatype Format | Example |
Input | num1 | Integer | 10 |
Input | num2 | Integer | 20 |
Output | product | Integer | 200 |
Assumptions And Constraints:
- We assume that the user only enters the Valid Integer Values.
- There is No Input Validation is present in the code.
- The Input Values are always within the Range of Standard 32-bit Integers.
Pseudo-Code:
from string_utils import reverse_string
print(reverse_string("Coding Zap")) # Output: paZ gnidoC
Code Reference:
import java.util.Scanner; // Importing The Scanner Package
public class Main
{
public static void main(String[] args)
{
Scanner sc = new Scanner(System.in); // Creating The Scanner Object
System.out.print("Enter First Value: ");
int num1 = sc.nextInt(); // Taking The First Input
System.out.print("Enter Second Value: ");
int num2 = sc.nextInt(); // Taking The Second Input
int product = num1 * num2; // Multiplying Two Numbers
System.out.println("Product Is: " + product); // Printing The Result
sc.close(); // Closing The Scanner Object
}
}
Tools And Technologies:
- Programming Language: Java 11
- IDE: IntelliJ Idea / Eclipse
- Libraries: Scanner Class from Java Util Package
Author Information:
- Author: Sounetra Ghosal
- Date: 12 June 2025
- Last Modified: 13 June 2025
- Assignment Title: Multiplication Of Two Integers
A Downloadable Template For Your Programming Assignment Documentation:
We hope the Programming Assignment Documentation Example has become clear to you from the above section. Now, before we end our discussion, we have brought great stuff for you.
We know that remembering all the requirements for the Programming Assignment Documentation is a very complicated task.
If you are an individual who has to submit Programming Assignments frequently, then you will find this item useful. Here is a Downloadable Template for Documentation of your Programming Assignment Requirements.
You can download the template and fill in the blank spaces as per your Programming Assignment.
Conclusion:
Ultimately, learning how to “Document Programming Assignment Requirements” is crucial.
However, maintaining the Assignment Requirements won’t guarantee a good score if your program isn’t working. So, first practice programming language as much as possible, then concentrate on the assignment.
Takeaways:
- Understanding the Programming Assignment is the very first requirement of the documentation.
- Writing Problem Statements, Functional, and Non-Functional Needs are some other requirements.
- We have to make an Input and Output Table to show the working of the program.
- For Simple Problems, we have to add Pseudo-Code, and for Complex Problems, the Flowchart is added.
- We have to provide information about the Author, Tools, and Technologies in the documentation.
