Much of the work of software engineers (programmers) is involved with altering programs which some other programmer has written. This can be made easier if the program is a good program....but what do we mean by that?

The characteristics of a 'good' program....

• the program is organised into small sections ...ie subroutines
  (small rocks are easier to lift than large rocks)
• the program is self-documenting 
  • there are plenty of comments in the program identifying what sections of the program do etc..
    (you know you have picked up the right rock if it has a label on it)
  • meaningful  names are used for constants and variables, subroutine names etc
    Eg It is better to call a variable Tax_Level_Indicator rather than just TL even if it does mean more typing when coding!
• structure is clearly shown - using indentation of blocks.