SWE 3313 Midterm part 1
The application of a systematic, disciplined, quantifiable approach to the development, operation, and maintenance of software
software engineering
a requirement employed to prescribe a disciplined, uniform approach to the software development process
software development practice
concerned with getting the computer to do what you want it to do, as efficiently as possible
computer science
a process by which user needs are translated into a specific product, comprised of specific software development practices
software development process
1. understand the problem
2. perform some design
3. code/implement
4. verify/test the program
a simple set of steps
Statements that define and qualify what the program needs to do
program requirements
Statements that constrain the ways in which the software can be designed and implemented
design constraints
What a program needs to do
functional requirements
The manner in which the functional requirements need to be achieved
nonfunctional requirements
1. input formats
2. sorting
3. special cases, boundaries, and error conditions
examples of functional requirements
1. performance requirements
2. real-time requirements
3. modifiability requirements
examples of nonfunctional requirements
1. user interface
2. typical and maximum input sizes
3. platforms
4. schedule requirements
examples of design constraints
1. programming language
2. algorithms
examples of design decisions
Describe a way to simplify a complex problem.
One way to simplify a complex problem is to diminish the relationships between functions, number of functionalities, and the amount of interactions between them. This technique is promptly called decomposition. There is also another technique similar to this called modularization.
List two technical concerns in developing large systems.
Large systems often require software engineers to consider many categories of development. This includes architecture and design decomposition, choices of languages and middleware, and the process and methodologies to be used for development.
What is the maximum number of communication paths for a team of twenty people?
Using the SUM formula below, the answer for this question is 190 communication paths.
total number of communication channels = n * (n - 1) / 2
What is meant by the term principles of software engineering?
Many software engineering students have asked if there are natural laws or principles in software engineering, similar to the laws of motion or laws of thermodynamics. In hindsight, software engineering does not have a set of laws. However, there are several sets of proposed principles of software engineering. Since software engineering is still developing and setting new grounds, the existing principles will continue to be modified as well as new ones being appended. Principles of software engineering refer to the rules and assumptions in software engineering derived from extensive observations. (pg. 49-50)
Can a software engineer become a certified Professional Engineer (PE)? Explain.
Civil or Electrical engineers have a designation of Professional Engineer (PE) in the United States. In other countries, traditional engineers are also certified. Software engineers do not yet have such a professional certification. In 1998, the Texas Board of Professional Engineers adopted software engineering as a district discipline under which an engineering license may be issued. This process is anticipated to take time and effort before actual licenses will be granted to software engineers. (pg. 47
What requirements qualify as functional requirements? Specify in what manner they need to be achieved.
A boolean measurement where the requirement is either satisfied or not satisfied. Some requirements that qualify as functional requirements would include input formats, sorting, and error conditions. In the case of input formats, we need to define what separates the lines on the file. This becomes excessively important since several different platforms may use different separator characters. In the case of sorting, there are several different meanings for sorting. The textbook defines sorting among characters as being in numerical order, and the sorting of the files to be in ascending order. In the special case of error conditions, it is a good practice to have all error cases defined and pre-planned before the execution of the problem (program) begins. It is important for these requirements to be completely specified until the detailed design or even the implementation stages.
Which decisions are those taken by the software engineer about the best ways (processes, techniques, and technologies) to achieve the requirements?
Design decisions are made by the software engineer to achieve the solution that will satisfy the requirements.