Just to clarify, the text I'm reading defines the lifecycle of a program as:
-idea
-plan
-source code
-object file
-executable.
In gaming terms would this be comparable to:
-an Italian plumber goes on an adventure to save a princess from evil turtles and mushrooms.
-sketch out level designs. Write pseudocode.
-create the actual program codes that make the game work (the real coding).
-compile all code into an obj.
-export obj to an exe people can run. Self contained file you sell or burn to dvd etc.
Is that about right?
Also how does that translate over to online gaming with things like x-box live, or PC MMO's?