Lesson for Csci15
LESSON 1
1 Introduction to Software Engineering
When people think about computers, the first thing that comes to their minds are the physical machines- monitor, keyboard, mouse and CPU. However, the software is the one that makes them useful. A computer software includes a set of programs that execute within a computer of any size and architecture, and data that are being processed by the programs and presented to users as hard or soft copies. It is built by software engineers through the employment of a software process that yields highquality work products that meet the needs of people who will be using the system.
Nowadays, software is a very important technology of our lives because it affects nearly every aspects of it, including government, commerce, and culture. In this chapter, we will be discussing software engineering as a discipline in building quality computer software. A layered view will be used to outline the concepts needed to understand software engineering. Then, an understanding on the people involved in the software development effort will be discussed. It will be followed by the need for documentation and how to organize and document software engineering work products.
1.1 Software Engineering- A Layered View
Software Engineering is a discipline that applies principles of engineering to the development of quality software in a timely and cost-effective manner. It uses an approach that is systematic and methodological to produce quantifiable results. It makes use of measurement and metrics to assess quality, not only of the software but also the software process. They are also used to assess and manage the software development project.
Software Engineering is viewed differently by different practitioners. Pressman suggests to view software engineering as a layered technology1. This view consists of four layers, namely, quality focus, process, methods and tools. Figure 1.1 illustrates this software.
[pic]
1.1.1
1 Introduction to Software Engineering
When people think about computers, the first thing that comes to their minds are the physical machines- monitor, keyboard, mouse and CPU. However, the software is the one that makes them useful. A computer software includes a set of programs that execute within a computer of any size and architecture, and data that are being processed by the programs and presented to users as hard or soft copies. It is built by software engineers through the employment of a software process that yields highquality work products that meet the needs of people who will be using the system.
Nowadays, software is a very important technology of our lives because it affects nearly every aspects of it, including government, commerce, and culture. In this chapter, we will be discussing software engineering as a discipline in building quality computer software. A layered view will be used to outline the concepts needed to understand software engineering. Then, an understanding on the people involved in the software development effort will be discussed. It will be followed by the need for documentation and how to organize and document software engineering work products.
1.1 Software Engineering- A Layered View
Software Engineering is a discipline that applies principles of engineering to the development of quality software in a timely and cost-effective manner. It uses an approach that is systematic and methodological to produce quantifiable results. It makes use of measurement and metrics to assess quality, not only of the software but also the software process. They are also used to assess and manage the software development project.
Software Engineering is viewed differently by different practitioners. Pressman suggests to view software engineering as a layered technology1. This view consists of four layers, namely, quality focus, process, methods and tools. Figure 1.1 illustrates this software.
[pic]
1.1.1