Software Engineering

A program or series of programs containing instructions that offer desired features is referred to as software. Technology, on the other hand, is the method of planning and producing something that meets a specific purpose, as well as seeking a cost-effective approach to problems.

Software Engineering represents a consistent approach to software system architecture, development, operation, and maintenance.

Significance of Software Engineering

Software engineering is a structured and systematic approach to building software products that meet the requirements of users and stakeholders.
It helps to manage the complexity of software by breaking it down into manageable components and ensuring their coherence and efficiency.
A rigorous development process that includes requirements analysis, design, implementation, testing, and maintenance is an integral part of software engineering.
Software engineering fosters collaboration and efficiency among development teams, leading to on-time and on-budget project delivery.
It advocates for the use of best practices, standards, and tools that ensure the quality, reliability, and security of software products.

Dual Role of Software:

1. As a product –

It functions as an information transformer when it creates, handles, acquires, modifies, shows, or transmits information through a network of Hardware.
It allows the Hardware to provide the expected features.

2. As a vehicle for delivering a product –

It offers device features (for example, a payroll system);
It manages other software (for example, an operating system); and
It aids in the creation of other software (e.g., software tools)

Objectives of Software Engineering:

1. Maintainability – The software should be able to adapt in response to evolving specifications.
2. Efficiency – Software should not consume computer resources such as memory, CPU cycles, and so on.
3. Correctness – A software product is right if the SRS document’s various specifications have been properly applied.
4. Reusability – A software product’s reusability is high if the various components can be quickly replicated to create new products.
5. Testability – The software here makes it possible, following certain requirements, both to define the trial criteria as well as to evaluate the software.
6. Reliability – Device consistency attribute. To what degree a program can fulfill its required purpose in an arbitrary period.
7. Portability – Applications may be shifted from one operating system or environment to another in this situation.
8. Adaptability – Software allows for different device limitations in this situation and users must be happy by allowing software modifications.
9. Interoperability – the ability to cooperate with 2 or more operating units.

Program vs Software Product:

1. A program is a series of instructions provided to a computer to accomplish a certain purpose, while the software is where a code is made available for commercial use and is fully registered, like licensing. Software is made up of three parts: the program, the documentation, and the licensing.
2. A program is one of the steps in the development of software because software development often follows a life cycle that includes feasibility analysis, requirement collection, concept development, code design, scripting, and testing.

Audience

This guide is intended for readers who are learning in the fields of software development, and software testing, and all enthusiastic readers.

Prerequisites

This tutorial was created with utter beginners in mind. However, having a basic understanding of software systems, the software development process, and computer fundamentals would be advantageous.