Program without shield/module

Hi all,

Hope you guys having a good day. I have a concern that while i trying on my code do shield/module need to be connected? I afraid if the shield/module did not connected and my code can not work as arduino might feedback it does not have this shield/module function

example DS3231 RTC module.

when i try to coding this module, do i need to connect it with my arduino and verify my code? Or i can just write the program code and verify it with only arduino board connected?

Thank You,