Software Engineering

Flashcards for key vocabulary and concepts in Software Engineering.

Software Engineering

An engineering discipline concerned with all aspects of software production, from initial conception to operation and maintenance.

Software

Computer programs and associated documentation; can be developed for a particular customer or a general market.

Good Software Attributes

Should deliver required functionality and performance, be maintainable, dependable, and usable.

Fundamental Software Engineering Activities

Software specification, software development, software validation, and software evolution.

Heterogeneity (in Software Engineering)

The need for systems to operate across diverse networks with different computer types and mobile devices. Integrating new software with older legacy systems is a key challenge.

Software Engineering Diversity

The methods, tools, and techniques used depend on the organization, software type, and people involved in development. There are no universal methods suitable for all systems and companies.

Stand-alone applications

Application systems that run on a personal computer or apps that run on a mobile device.

Interactive transaction-based applications

Applications that execute on a remote computer and are accessed by users from their own computers, phones, or tablets.

Embedded control systems

Software control systems that control and manage hardware devices.

Batch processing systems

Business systems that are designed to process data in large batches.

Entertainment systems

Systems for personal use that are intended to entertain the user.

Systems for modeling and simulation

Systems that are developed by scientists and engineers to model physical processes or situations.

Data collection and analysis systems

Systems that collect data from their environment and send that data to other systems for processing.

Systems of systems

Systems, used in enterprises and other large organizations, that are composed of a number of other software systems.

Software engineering ethics

Software engineers must behave ethically and morally responsible, upholding confidentiality, competence, intellectual property rights, and avoiding computer misuse.

Software Process

A set of related activities that leads to the production of a software system.

Plan-driven processes

Processes where all of the process activities are planned in advance and progress is measured against this plan.

Agile processes

Planning is incremental and continual as the software is developed. It is therefore easier to change the process to reflect changing customer or product requirements.

Waterfall model

Takes the fundamental process activities of specification, development, validation, and evolution and represents them as separate process phases such as requirements specification, software design, implementation, and testing.

Incremental development

This approach interleaves the activities of specification, development, and validation. The system is developed as a series of versions (increments), with each version adding functionality to the previous version.

Integration and configuration

This approach relies on the availability of reusable components or systems. The system development process focuses on configuring these components for use in a new setting and integrating them into a system.

Software specification

The functionality of the software and constraints on its operation must be defined.

Software development

The software to meet the specification must be produced.

Software validation

The software must be validated to ensure that it does what the customer wants.

Software evolution

The software must evolve to meet changing customer needs.

Agile Development

Rapid software development.