Which of the following is the first step in the program development life cycle?

The correct answer is Option D (Defining the problem). The Program Development Life Cycle begins with understanding what needs to be built. Before any code is written or tested, developers must clearly identify the problem requirements and scope. This foundational step ensures that subsequent phases like coding, debugging, and testing address the correct objectives.

Option A (Testing) occurs after code is written to verify functionality.

Option B (Debugging) involves fixing errors found during testing, making it a later stage activity.

Option C (Coding) is the implementation phase that follows problem definition and design.

Skipping the initial problem definition often leads to building incorrect solutions, making it the critical first step in any development process.