LECTURE-2

Software Is a Product
Designed by software engineers. Consists of :
Programs - that execute within a computer and provides desired functions. Documents- describe the operation and use of the
program

Data - which can be numerical, textual, pictorial,

video etc.

Information

Software Vehicle to deliver the product

Operating System Network Software Case tools

In

todays lecture we will learn about the product that is to be

engineered. And the process (Next class) that provides a framework for the engineering technology The following questions will addressed in todays lecture. What is computer software ? Why do we struggle to build high-quality computer-based systems? How can we categorize application domains for computer software ? What myths about software still exist? Software characteristics. Failure curve for hardware The crisis of software.

Overview
Computer software is the product that designed and built by software engineers. Software is used by virtually everyone in society. Software engineers have a moral obligation to build reliable software that does no harm to other people. Software engineers view computer software, as being made up of the programs, documents, and data required to design and build the system. Software users are only concerned with whether or not software products meet their expectations and make their tasks easier to complete.

HOW SHOULD WE DEFINE SOFTWARE ?

A textbook description of software might take the following form: Software is (1) instructions (computer programs) that when executed provide desired function and performance, (2) data structures that enable the programs to adequately manipulate information, and (3)documents that describe the operation and use of the programs. There is no question that other, more complete definitions could be offered. But we need more than a formal definition.

SOFTWARE CHARACTERISTICS

Software
Software is both a product and a vehicle for developing a product. Software is engineered not manufactured. Software does not wear out, but it does deteriorate. Currently, most software is still custombuilt.

Figure2.1:- Failure curve for hardware

Wear out FAILURE RATE Infant mortality

TIME

Figure2.2:- Idealized and actual failure curves for software

Increased failure rate due to side effects

FAILURE RATE

Actual curve

Change

Idealized curve TIME

Software application
System Software Real time software Scientific area spreadsheets , computer are moving away from Word processing Knowledge based systems , ,for receivable/payablerealBusinesssystems , and file management utilities Compilers, ,control Expert software Software thataccounts microwave oven , Digital Keypad editors, Payroll monitors/analyzes/controls ,

conventional numerical algorithms . , database HTML,Perl, system entertainment, ComputerJava components drivers and and voice),artificial graphics , recognition (imagesale transaction , a , pattern multimedia ,occur data hypertext and ,operating or , Point of is called real time world events an, automobile such as fuel control functions in as they inventory,MISsystem simulation , and other aided design of visualand bussiness financial variety and scientific software Engineering displays, and processors game management , personal and audio formats neural networks,processing brakingand telecommunications theorem proving , systems dashboard interactive applications have network. take on applications , external begun to playing. real time and even system software Embedded software characteristic.

Personal computer software

Web-based software

Artificial intelligence software.

Types of Software
System software
it services other programs heavy interaction with hardware,

Real-time software
data gathering component analysis component monitoring component

Business software
largest single software area MIS important component

Engineering and scientific software

number crunching numerical algorithms

Types of Software
Embedded software
resides in read-only memory of any appliances controls products and system for consumers

PC software
several hundreds of applications available as software packages

Web-based software
unlimited software resource

AI software
makes use of non-numerical algorithms expert systems, pattern recognition, games

Software Crisis
Software failures receive a lot more publicity than software engineering success stories. The software crisis predicted thirty years ago has never materialized and software engineering successes outnumber the failures. The problems that afflict software development are associated more with how to develop and support software properly, than with simply building software that functions correctly.

Software Myths
Management myths.
Customer myths. Practitioners myths. Myth?

Reality?

Evolving Role of Software

Software is both a product, and the means for delivering a product or service The most important product of our time: information Advances in hardware performance result in ever more complex software applications

Important Questions
Why does it take so long to finish a software project? Why does it cost so much to develop software? Why do we deliver software with significant bugs still present? Why is it so hard to measure progress during development?

KEY POINTS OF TODAYS LECTURE

1.Software is both a product and a vehicle for delivering a product.
2. Software is engineered, not manufactured.

3.Software doesnt wear out , but it does deteriorate.

4.Most software continues to be custom built.