Introduction to Software engineering Flashcards
Two things that influence software failure
1) Increasing System complexity
2)Not using software engineering methods properly
What is software?
Computer programs and associated documentation. Software
products may be developed for a particular customer or may be
developed for a general market.
what are attributes of good software ?
Good software should deliver the required functionality and
performance to the user and should be maintainable, dependable
and usable
What is software engineering?
Software engineering is an engineering discipline that is concerned
with all aspects of software production from initial conception to
operation and maintenance
What are the fundamental software engineering activities?
Software specification, software development, software validation
and software evolution
What is the difference between software engineering and computer science?
Computer science focuses on theory and fundamentals; software
engineering is concerned with the practicalities of developing and
delivering useful software. There is more to software engineering than just computer science
What is the difference between software engineering and System engineering
System engineering is concerned with all aspects of computerbased
systems development including hardware, software and
process engineering. Software engineering is part of this more
general process.
What are the key challenges facing software engineering?
Coping with increasing diversity, demands for reduced delivery
times and developing trustworthy software.
What are the costs of software engineering?
Roughly 60% of software costs are development costs, 40% are
testing costs. For custom software, evolution costs often exceed
development costs.
What are the best software engineering techniques and methods?
While all software projects have to be professionally managed and
developed, different techniques are appropriate for different types
of system. For example, games should always be developed using
a series of prototypes whereas safety critical control systems
require a complete and analyzable specification to be developed.
There are no methods and techniques that are good for everything.
What difference has the internet made to software engineering?
Not only has the Internet led to the development of massive, highly
distributed, service-based systems, it has also supported the
creation of an “app” industry for mobile devices which has
changed the economics of software.
Software engineers are concerned with developing software products, that is,
software that can be sold to a customer. There are two kinds of software product,What are they?
- Generic products These are stand-alone systems that are produced by a
development organization and sold on the open market to any customer who is
able to buy them. Examples of this type of product include apps for mobile
devices, software for PCs such as databases, word processors, drawing packages,
and project management tools. This kind of software also includes “vertical”
applications designed for a specific market such as library information systems,
accounting systems, or systems for maintaining dental records. - Customized (or bespoke) software These are systems that are commissioned by
and developed for a particular customer. A software contractor designs and
implements the software especially for that customer. Examples of this type of
software include control systems for electronic devices, systems written to
support a particular business process, and air traffic control systems.
what is Hardware
Parts of the computer that can be touched
Why is communication very important in software egineering
So we can get the desired product
How are system engineers involved
System engineers are involved in system specification,archtectural design, integration and deployment
What do we study in software engineering
What are the product deliverables and what processes are used to produce the products(software development lie cycle
Essential product attributes are
Maintainability ,dependability, efficiency, and usability
What is Maintainability
Software should be written in such a way that it can evolve to
meet the changing needs of customers. This is a critical attribute
because software change is an inevitable requirement of a
changing business environment.
What is dependability
Software dependability includes a range of characteristics including
reliability, security, and safety. Dependable software should not
cause physical or economic damage in the event of system failure.
Software has to be secure so that malicious users cannot access or
damage the system.
What is Efiiciency
Software should not make wasteful use of system resources such
as memory and processor cycles. Efficiency therefore includes
responsiveness, processing time, resource utilization, etc.
What is usability/Acceptability
Software must be acceptable to the type of users for which it is
designed. This means that it must be understandable, usable, and
compatible with other systems that they use.
What is specification activity
where customers and engineers define the software that
is to be produced and the constraints on its operation.
What is development activity
where the software is designed and programmed.
What is the validation activity
where the software is checked to ensure that it is what the
customer requires
What is the evolution activity
where the software is modified to reflect changing customer
and market requirements.
What are CASE tools
are computer based products meant to help in phase of the SDLC(software development life cycle),provide automated support for software process activities
Upper-CASE:
-Tools to support the early process activities of requirments and design
lower-CaSE:
-tools to support later activities such as programming debugging and testing.
What does CASE stand for?
Computer Aided Software engineering
What is the software Crisis?
Why are projects cancelled,completed late,over budget
not with all features and only a few are successful?
Problems behind the software crisis
-increased size and complexity of systems(over complexity)
-over budget
-design bugs after implementation
-Lack of maintainance
-Software not secure
-Software licencing(copyright)
-Internationalization(designing a website for multiple languages),software does not cater to different parts of the population (lack of consideration for diversity)
-Rapid changes(changes happen quickly miss features)
-Not using CASE tools through out the software development life cycle and only programming tools
Ways to fight against software crisis
-Improve software engineering methodologies
-Use High-level languages and tools that encourgae and enforce software engineering principles
The aim of software engineering
it is a discipline whose aim is the production of fault free software, delivered on time, within budget and meeting the clients needs
