How do you prepare your projects?

[eluser]Ñuño Martínez[/eluser]
[quote author="Fero" date="1237128546"]"let's code and determine functions while coding"[/quote] This method is a simplified version of "Extreme Programming". I use it on my current job because I never have all the information about the project. That's not my fault. My boss never, never, never explains me everything I need, he always hides something. Once I've finished something he says "Oh, nice work! Now, add this new little feature that seems simple but actually it will ruin everything you've already done". I think it's the worst way but I can't do anything else. u_u"

On my personal projects I write a simple document with specifications and objectives. Then I draw some simple UML and flowcharts then I star to code. I do it in small steps and everytime I finish one of these steps I revisit all the documentation and I modify it if I think I can do it better. It's not perfect but it is a much better way. ^_^

My optimal development environment is a desktop, pens and paper. Really. herrkaleun is right: Pen and paper are the best friends of a software developer.

About code edition I use gVim for everything (PHP, Objective Pascal, C, ...), and I use "make" to compile and SVN too.