1. Understand the problem.

2. Understand the UI requirements.

3. Understand what (things) will be required to solve the problem:
   • what are (expected) inputs, how many, etc.?
     
   • what are (expected) outputs, how many, etc.?
     
   • what are required objects?
     
   • what are required events?

4. Plan the solution, using pseudocode (and pencil and paper). Determine what objects and events will be required, and identify their names on paper. Also determine what variables will be required, what type each will be, and the name of each. The more thorough and the better detailed this step is, the more trouble you will save yourself later.

5. Start NetBeans IDE and open project (either new or existing).

6. Name the solution/project appropriately.
   • declare constants as needed **
     
   • declare variables as needed **
     
   • comment as necessary along the way
     
   • set any initial values required
     
   • assign values FROM input control objects to variables, performing any required type conversion (using conversion functions) along the way.
     
   • perform all calculations/computations on variables
   • assign values FROM variables to output control objects, performing any required formatting or type conversion along the way.

7. Test and validate actual results match expected results. If testing does not produce correct or expected results, go back to previous step(s). Nature of failure should determine how many steps to examine and/or redo.

Note: SAVE along the way.

** Indicates that good naming conventions should be used along with other proper case requirements.