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Definition(s) of Software Engineering. Establishment and use of sound engineering principles to obtain economically software that is reliable and works on real machines efficiently . (Fritz Bauer). Definition(s) of Software Engineering (cont’d).
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Definition(s) of Software Engineering Establishment and use of sound engineering principles to obtain economically software that is reliable and works on real machines efficiently. (Fritz Bauer) Software Engineering - Introduction
Definition(s) of Software Engineering (cont’d) (i) Application of a systematic, disciplined, quantifiable approach to the development, operation and maintenance of software; that is, the application of engineering to software. (ii) The study of approaches as in (i). (IEEE 93) Software Engineering - Introduction
By“systematic”we mean: Following a well-defined sequence of activities, - in which desired outputs (deliverables) are well-defined- by using well-defined inputs(i.e. documented syntax, semantics, context and other relevant properties of the input)- in a well-defined process (e.g. using organizational standards for interprocess communication, data formats, error handling etc.)- whose outputs are in turn used similarly as inputs in subsequent process(es), - until the final output is achieved,- and where the correctness of the output is verifiable.Note: The “inputs” and “outputs” most often refer to requirements, software specifications, the software itself, documentation, test inputs/outputs and similar software artifacts.Back Software Engineering - Introduction
By“disciplined”we mean: • Each process is followed using organizational principles (e.g. who manages whom, who is responsible for what?), • Intermediate results are carefully documented, as well as final results, • Actions are traceable as to their causes, individuals involved, time of occurrence and circumstances. Back Software Engineering - Introduction
By “quantifiable”we mean: • The size and extent of the required effort(size of output code, data, documentation, manpower, duration, budget for development, expected error rate and user support) are predictable within justifiable and acceptable bounds Software Engineering - Introduction
What SWE is not: • Just “programming” or “coding” • System engineering (in a broad sense)although software engineers may be called upon to participate in system engineering analyses • Software salesmenshipalthough they may be called upon to help analyze customer needs Software Engineering - Introduction
Why Do We Need SWE? To make the production of software • easier • more disciplined and predictable • more economical. • Back Software Engineering - Introduction
Evolution of Software Technology • Operating systems • Languages • Development tools • Database and networking technology • Project management tools Software Engineering - Introduction
Evolution of machine architecture • Improvement of machine instruction sets • Invention mass storage devices • Machine interrupt schemes • Much larger physical memories • Virtual memory (paging) • Cache memory • Fault-tolerant computing • Parallel and multi-processing Software Engineering - Introduction
Evolution of Systems Interconnection • Local area networking(peer-to-peer and hierarchical connection, servers) • Wide area networking(dial-up and fixed connections) • Networking architecture • Communication protocols Software Engineering - Introduction
Database Systems • From simple sequential “files” to “databases” • Indexed files • Hierarchical databases • Network-style databases • Relational databases • More recently, object-oriented databases • Database management systems Software Engineering - Introduction
Decreasing Hardware Costs • Ever smaller and faster components • More reliable • Requiring less energy • More easily replaceable Software Engineering - Introduction
Increasing Demand • Improved user interfaces • Cheaper and faster machines • Increase in application areas • Improved connections • Most recently the Internet! Software Engineering - Introduction
Differences between Software Engineering and Hardware Engineering • Software is developed or engineered, not manufactured. • Software doesn’t wear out (in the usual sense). It is updated or replaced with a new version. • Most software tends to be custom-builteventhough there is a movement toward component-based assembly. Software Engineering - Introduction
Hardware Failure Pattern “Bathtub Curve” Software Engineering - Introduction
Software Failure Pattern Software Engineering - Introduction
Examples of Application Areas • System software(Operating systems, compilers, databases, graphics packages, communication ...) • Real-time softwareInteracts with external eventsHas tight timing requirementsRequires high-security, reliability and availability Often mission-critical (can not be allowed to fail) Software Engineering - Introduction
Application Areas (cont’d) • Business Software Ranging from simple to very complex Requiring its own expert knowledge Very large files Needs telecommunication, devices like point-of-sale (POS) terminals Highly organized computer organization and personnel (esp. in large companies) Very detailed records covering long periods Software Engineering - Introduction
Engineering and Scientific Software • Complex formula evaluation • Very high accuracy • Interaction with data collection devices(e.g. Sensors) often at high speeds • High resolution graphic displays of large amounts of data • Parallel and multi-processor applications Software Engineering - Introduction
Embedded Software • Software embedded in non-computer devices (e.g. cars, planes, cell phones, home appliances such as refrigerators) through special-purpose processors • Must be resistant to failures, tough climactic conditions, rough handling • Often optimized to require least memory and still maintain speed Software Engineering - Introduction
Military Software • Often real-time • Engineering/scientific • Including embedded components • High-technology (communications) • High security and error control (reliability) Software Engineering - Introduction
Video Game Software • Graphic and artistic content • Video-type action • Very high timing requirements • High-sped user interaction • Graphics and sound integrated Software Engineering - Introduction
Artificial Intelligence Software Involves: Problem solving,Complex symbolic programming(e.g. pattern recognition, theorem proving, virtual reality concepts, game playing etc.)Physical system control (e.g. Robotic arm-leg movement)Vision, sound/voice recognition... Software Engineering - Introduction
Web-based Applications • General public information (news, info about organizations and society) • Business-to-consumer communication(product promotions, sales) • Business-to-business communication • Electronic mail • “Surfing” • Seach engines Software Engineering - Introduction
Tools Methods QUALITY FOCUS Building Blocks of Software Engineering Process Software Engineering - Introduction
The Generic SWE Approach • What is the problem to be solved?-- The most important question of all...-- Do we have sufficient detail ?-- Do we really know what the customer wants?-- Does he agree that that’s what he wants? Software Engineering - Introduction
More questions ... • How will the solution be realized?How shall we test the solution once it is constructed?How shall we maintain the system and support the users in the short and long terms? Software Engineering - Introduction
The Software Development Process The Software Development Process (also called the Software Process) is the process used to answer the above questions, dealing with: • Definition of the problem • Analysis of the problem • The conception and development of a design • Implementation of the design Software Engineering - Introduction
The Software Development Process (cont’d) • Testing • Documentation • User Training (if required) • Maintenance and support • Enhancement of the product (if required).
The Software Development Process (cont’d) The sequenceand extent of activities needed to carry out the above process varies depending on: • How well the user (customer) understands his own needs • How well the developers know the application area
The Software Development Process (cont’d) • Resources available for the project (time, technology, money, people) • The type of project (internal/external, level of secrecy, amount of documentation, user support required etc) • The developer organization ... And many other factors Software Process Models