Unit 1 - Software and Software Engineering (Vocabulary)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from Unit 1: Software, Software Engineering, and size estimation concepts.

Software

A collection of programs used to perform a specific task; can be a product and the vehicle for delivering that product, enabling control, communication, and creation/management of other programs.

Dual role of software

Software acts as both the product itself and the vehicle that delivers and enables the product across computers and networks.

Information transformer

Software that produces, manages, acquires, modifies, displays, or transmits information.

Instructions

Computer programs that, when executed, provide the desired features, functions, and performance.

Data structures

Structures that enable programs to manipulate information effectively.

Descriptive information

Documentation describing the operation and use of programs, in hard copy and digital forms.

System software

Software that supports core functions, including the operating system, language processors, and device drivers.

Application software

Software designed for end-user tasks, including general purpose software, customized software, and utility software.

Language processor

A system software component (e.g., compiler or interpreter) that translates or processes programming languages.

Device driver

Software that enables a hardware device to communicate with the operating system.

Software Engineering

An engineering-based approach to software development, applying engineering design processes to design, develop, maintain, test, and evaluate software.

Software Engineer

A person who applies engineering design processes to develop software.

Software Engineering (definition)

The application of systematic, disciplined, and quantifiable methods for the development, operation, and maintenance of software.

Layered technology

A framework in software engineering consisting of process, methods, and tools, with the process layer forming the foundation.

Process layer

The foundation for software engineering technology; defines the software process and provides context for applying methods and tools.

Software process

The set of activities used to deliver software, forming the basis for project management.

Methods

The technical how-to’s for building software, including communication, requirements analysis, design modeling, programming, testing, and support.

Tools

Automated or semi-automated support for the process and methods; includes CASE tools.

CASE (Computer-Aided Software Engineering)

Tools used to support software development.

Project size estimation

The process of estimating the scope and resources required for a project, including effort, time, cost, and resources.

Size factors

Aspects that influence size estimation, such as financial planning, resource planning, timeline creation, risk identification, detailed planning, and quality assurance planning.

Lines of Code (LOC)

The total number of lines of source code in a project.

KLOC

Thousand lines of code.

NLOC

Non-comment lines of code (code lines excluding comments).

KDSI

Thousands of delivered source instructions.

External Inputs

Functions related to data entering the system.

Functions (modules)

The number of functions or modules in the software used for size measurement.