Complicated

Computer programming is getting a little bit tougher. This weekend, my homework for that class took about 10 hours. Making two programs doesn't seem too bad, but the tough part is the planning. Having to write down every piece and every property, step, and number for every piece... It isn't so much that it's hard as that it's very time consuming, plus having to look up how to do everything as I go in the book or in my notes, which don't always match up. Which should I follow? I guess it doesn't make too big of a difference as long as the program actually works.