No Silver Bullet - Frederick P. Brooks, Jr.

Question 1

What’s the hardest part of bulding software?

Answer 1

The specification and design of the software. NOT the writing of it.

Question 2

What are the four properties of software that are essence of it?

Answer 2

Complexity. Conformity. Changeability. Invisibility.

Question 3

Explain inherent complexity of Software and how it creates difficulties.

Answer 3

Software is complex because no two parts are alike.
Scaling up of Software is not a repetition of parts but an increase in number of different parts.
As parts added the complexity of the whole increases much more than non-linearly.
This complexity creates difficulties of communication, which leads to product flaws, cost overruns and schedule delays.

Question 4

Explain inherent conformity of Software.

Answer 4

Software often has to conform because it is the newest arrival on the scene, or even because it is perceived to be conformable. As a result it has a lot of arbitrary complexity forced upon it by human institutions.

Question 5

Explain inherent changeability of software.

Answer 5

Software is constantly being changed because 1) software embodies function and function changes most and 2) it is easily changed.

Question 6

Explain inherent invisibility of software.

Answer 6

Software cannot be visualized with a diagram.

This is a problem for Software as visualizing is one of the human minds most powerful tools.