CS329 Software Engineering 1 - Module 1: Introduction to Software Engineering

Margaret Heafield Hamilton

The director of the Software Engineering Division of the MIT Instrumentation Laboratory, which developed on-board flight software for NASA's Apollo program.

System Software

Software that acts as tools to help construct or support applications software, such as operating systems, databases, networking software, and compilers.

Applications Software

Software designed to help perform a directly useful or enjoyable task, such as games, ATM software, airplane control software, e-mail, and word processors.

Information Systems

A category of applications software that stores and accesses large amounts of data, such as an airline seat reservation system.

Real-time Systems

Software systems in which the computer must respond quickly, such as the control software for a power station.

Embedded Systems

Systems in which the computer plays a smallish role within a larger system (e.g., in a telephone exchange or mobile phone), typically also functioning as real-time systems.

Bespoke Software

Software that is tailor-made for a particular application, such as software developed specifically for the Apollo moon shots.

Software Product

A collection of executable programming code, associated libraries, and documentations made to satisfy a specific requirement.

Software Engineering (IEEE Definition)

The application of a systematic, disciplined, quantifiable approach to the development, operation, and maintenance of software (the application of engineering to software), as well as the study of these approaches.

Software Engineering (Fritz Bauer Definition)

The establishment and use of sound engineering principles in order to obtain economically software that is reliable and works efficiently on real machines.

Software Evolution

The process of developing a software product using software engineering principles and methods, including initial development, maintenance, and continuous updates until desired requirements are satisfied.

Static-type Software (S-type)

Software that works strictly according to defined specifications and solutions that are understood before coding, making it the least subjected to change (e.g., a calculator