Need of Software Engineering
The need of software engineering arises because of higher rate of
change in user requirements and environment on which the software is
working.
- Large software - It is easier to build a wall than to a
house or building, likewise, as the size of software become large
engineering has to step to give it a scientific process.
- Scalability- If the software process were not based on
scientific and engineering concepts, it would be easier to re-create new
software than to scale an existing one.
- Cost- As hardware industry has shown its skills and huge
manufacturing has lower down he price of computer and electronic
hardware. But the cost of software remains high if proper process is not
adapted.
- Dynamic Nature- The always growing and adapting nature of
software hugely depends upon the environment in which user works. If the
nature of software is always changing, new enhancements need to be done
in the existing one. This is where software engineering plays a good
role.
- Quality Management- Better process of software development provides better and quality software product.
Characteristics of good software
A software product can be judged by what it offers and how well it
can be used. This software must satisfy on the following grounds:
- Operational
- Transitional
- Maintenance
Well-engineered and crafted software is expected to have the following characteristics:
Operational
This tells us how well software works in operations. It can be measured on:
- Budget
- Usability
- Efficiency
- Correctness
- Functionality
- Dependability
- Security
- Safety
Transitional
This aspect is important when the software is moved from one platform to another:
- Portability
- Interoperability
- Reusability
- Adaptability
Maintenance
This aspect briefs about how well a software has the capabilities to maintain itself in the ever-changing environment:
- Modularity
- Maintainability
- Flexibility
- Scalability
In short, Software engineering is a branch of computer science, which
uses well-defined engineering concepts required to produce efficient,
durable, scalable, in-budget and on-time software products.