Introduction to Software Engineering
Introduction to Software Engineering
Software Engineering is the sub discipline of Computer Science that
attempts to apply engineering principles to the creation, operation,
modification and maintenance of the software components of various systems. As
with much of Computer Science, the subject of Software Engineering is at a very
early stage in its development. It is much more of an art than a science, and
at present has little in common which classical engineering.
What
is engineering?
Engineering is the
application of well-understood scientific methods to the construction,
operation, modification and maintenance of useful devices and systems
• Evolving Role of Software
• Hardware vs. Software
• Software characteristics
• Evolution of Software
EVOLVING ROLE OF SOFTWARE
Software is a product:• Transforms information - produces, manages, acquires, modifies, displays, or transmits information
• Delivers computing potential of hardware and networks
Software is a vehicle for delivering a product:
• Controls other programs (operating system)
• Effects communications (networking software)
• Helps build other software (software tools & environments)
WHAT IS SOFTWARE?
Software can define as: Instruction – executed provide desire features, function & performance.
Data structure – to adequately manipulate operation.
Documents – operation and use of the program.
Software products may be developed for a particular customer or may be developed for a general market.
Software products may be
Generic - developed to be sold to a range of different customers e.g. PC software such as MS Excel or MS Word.
Bespoke (custom) - developed for a single customer according to their specification.
HARDWARE VS. SOFTWARE
Manufactured Developed/ engineered
wear out Deteriorate
Built using components o Custom built
MANUFACTURING VS. DEVELOPMENT
• Once a hardware product has been manufactured, it is difficult or impossible to modify. In contrast, software products are routinely modified and upgraded.• In hardware, hiring more people allows you to accomplish more work, but the same does not necessarily hold true in software engineering.
• Unlike hardware, software costs are concentrated in design rather than production.
SOFTWARE CHARACTERISTICS
• Software is developed or engineered; it is not manufactured.• Software does not “wear out” but it does deteriorate.
• Software continues to be custom built, as industry is moving toward component based construction.
EVOLUTION OF SOFTWARE
• System software• Application software
• Engineering/scientific software
• Embedded software
• Product line software
• Web applications
• Artificial intelligence software
System Software:
• System software is a collection of programs written to service other programs.
• It is characterized by heavy interaction with computer hardware; heavy usage by multiple users; concurrent operation that requires scheduling, resource sharing, and sophisticated process management; complex data structures; and multiple external interfaces.
For example. Compilers, operating system, drivers etc.
Application Software:
• Application software consists of standalone programs that solve a specific business need.
• Application software is used to control the business function in real-time.
Engineering /Scientific software:
• Characterized by "number crunching" algorithms.
• Applications range from astronomy to volcano logy, from automotive stress analysis to space shuttle orbital dynamics, and from molecular biology to automated manufacturing.
For example. Computer Aided Design (CAD), system stimulation etc.
REFERENCE BOOK: Software Engineering by Roger Pressman
Related Posts
Subscribe Our Newsletter
0 Comments to "Introduction to Software Engineering"
Post a Comment