In modern consumer electronics, devices in direct competition may have the same hardware and processing power, but the user experience will be depending on the software being used. Although the hardware is important, no software means no computers. Software engineering is a set of principles and methods used in the software development cycle.
What does software engineering stand for? A Software is a collection of executable programming code, associated libraries, and documentation. On the other hand, engineering is all about developing products, using well-defined, scientific principles and methods.
Software engineering is the study and practice of analyzing, designing, developing and testing software applications using programming languages to enable machines to operate various tasks. It mainly focuses on the development and maintenance of software products. Software engineers build software by using the same or similar language that is bound by sets of software engineering principles, methodologies, and best practices.
Software engineering principle applied to application software on personal computers, connectivity between computers, operating systems and that includes software in all types of electronic equipment of day-to-day use. It typically used for large and intricate software systems rather than single applications or programs.
Software engineering eventually results in a product that is efficient and effective at solving a problem or fulfilling a duty. Its principle helps to ensure that the product is reliable and safe for customers to run on a real machine.
Objectives of software engineering
One of the main objectives of software engineering is to help developers to build high quality customized software products at low cost and with a small cycle of time. Software engineering is difficult and complex, always requires a team of people to work together to produce reliable software evolution and effectively blend with existing software and hardware.
Some of the characteristics of software engineering are
Functionality
Functionality refers to the performance of the software against its intended purpose. It mainly focuses on the suitability, accuracy, interoperability, and security of the software product.
Reliability
A set of attributes of software quality. The extent to which software to maintain its level of performance under given conditions, for an arbitrary period. Its required functions are recoverability, fault tolerance and maturity of the software.
Efficiency
It refers to the ability of the software product to use system resources most effectively and efficiently. The software should make effective use of storage and executive command as per time.
Usability
It refers to which the software can be used with ease. The amount of time required to learn how to use the software.
Maintainability
The modifications can be made in software to extend its functionality, improve its performance or correct errors.
The process of building a software solution using the principles and ethics of software engineering is referred to as software evolution. The software evolution method starts with the requirement gathering process. It helps developers to create a base plan or an algorithm of the intended solution and deliver it to the users, to get their suggestions at an early stage. The customer can propose changes to the developer, by consecutive updates helps to get original software in the desired manner.
The evolving technology and the constantly changing requirements thrust the software product to get modified accordingly. Re-creating software from the base is not feasible. The evolution process is only a possible and budget solution to update existing software so that it gets matched with the latest technology.
Principles of software engineering
Software development is a complex process. It has several specific rules and recommendations which developers need to follow during program implementation. Every developer can enhance the quality of their code by following the basic principles of successful software engineering. Software engineering principles are a list of approaches, styles, philosophies, and best practices introduced by noted software engineers and authors in the software industry.
- Think through the problem completely before you try to implement a software solution.
- KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid)
KISS is an engineer’s moto. The developers tend to build complex systems that cause problems when it comes to its debugging and maintenance. So think the simplest way to design a program. Always use simple codes or problem-solving process and think simple structure to your software development. Keeping it simple is not an easy as it sounds, but it can prove much more effective than complicated structures. Beginners may overthink logical problems and come up with strange and novel solutions when a “dumb” simple way is available. it’s better to think simple and keep it simple as much as possible.
- Abstraction
The principle of abstraction is the separation of concerns or separating the behavior of software components from their implementation.
The need for software engineering in software development
Software engineering needs arise when a higher rate of change in user requirements and environment on which software is working.
- Large software can be developed with less time and effort.
- Scalability of the software
- Cost of developing the software and its long-run
- Dynamic nature – adapting the nature of the software in all environments user works.
- Quality Management- the Better process of software development provides better and quality customized software products.
For your business long run, choose the best product engineering and develop your efficient, customized software solution.
