Thinking Ahead

• “Thinking Ahead” refers to the practise of strategic planning in computational problem solving. This incorporates anticipating potential issues, identifying potential solutions, and determining the most effective way to reach the desired outcome.

• This skill involves the anticipation of future states of a computational problem. This includes possible inputs, expected outputs, and the potential errors that may arise and affect the computations.

• “Thinking Ahead” includes building variables and functions in an efficient way, predicting their usage in future programming tasks.

• Implementing short-term and long-term plans into a computer programme requires “Thinking Ahead”. The former tackles immediate tasks, while the latter ensures the overall function of the programme in the long run.

• “Thinking Ahead” also includes considering the scalability of solutions and how they might need adjustment or modification as the problem domain grows or changes.

• Anticipating user needs and programming accordingly falls under “Thinking Ahead”. This involves creating user-friendly interfaces, building in error checks and ensuring the accuracy and efficacy of results.

• “Thinking Ahead” includes understanding the scope and required resources of a project before coding begins. For instance, accurately estimating the complexity of certain functions and predicting the time it will take to complete them.

• Part of “Thinking Ahead” is the contemplation of potential implications or consequences of computational decisions such as data security, data privacy, and system performance.

• Lastly, “Thinking Ahead” involves continual learning and application of new coding techniques to improve efficiency, reduce redundancy, and stay current with advancements and best practises in the field of computer science.