What's your secret to programming fast when confronted with developing a new software that's not the same as something you have worked on in the past?
Of course, with this approach the resulting code often ends up looking quite different to my sketched design. The design changes, etc being commented as I go along.
I expect that many readers are shaking their heads. But for me, I don't necessarily see the big picture for a new program in my mind's eye, so this process works for me and I'm more productive compared to when I go straight to the keyboard and screen.
And dont forget to comment where you leave something hanging like the first half of a bridge, or where you do somthing that is arcane. you want someone else to be able to pick up where you left off if you have a stroke
Emacs makes this simple with Yasnippet.