Game Development vs. Safety Systems

Study Notes

Software plays a crucial role in the economies of developed nations; systems are increasingly software-controlled.
Focuses on theories, methods, and tools for professional software development.
Software expenditure significantly contributes to the Gross National Product (GNP) of developed countries.

Software costs often exceed hardware costs, particularly in personal computers.
Maintenance costs can be several times higher than development costs for long-term systems.
Software engineering aims for cost-effective software development to manage these expenses.

Growing complexity of systems due to increased demands for larger and quicker software solutions.
Many companies neglect software engineering methodologies, leading to higher costs and less reliable software products.

Definition of Software: Comprises computer programs and documentation, developed for specific clients or general markets.
Attributes of Good Software: Should meet functionality, performance, maintainability, dependability, and usability.
Software Engineering Definition: An engineering discipline focusing on all software production aspects.
Key Activities: Include specification, development, validation, and evolution of software.
Differences from Computer Science: Software engineering is practical, while computer science is theoretical.
Core Challenges: Managing diversity, reduced delivery times, and achieving software trustworthiness.

Generic Products: Stand-alone software sold to any customer, such as CAD tools or graphics programs.
Customized Products: Tailored software commissioned by specific customers, e.g., air traffic control systems.

In generic products, specifications are owned by developers; they control changes.
Customized products hand over specification control to customers for necessary changes.

Maintainability: Ability to evolve with changing customer needs.
Dependability and Security: Includes reliability and safety; systems should avoid causing damage or being compromised.
Efficiency: Software must use system resources responsibly and efficiently.
Acceptability: Software should be designed to be user-friendly and compatible with existing systems.

Concerned with all production aspects, from system specification to post-deployment maintenance.
Involves not just development techniques but also project management and supportive tools.

Society increasingly relies on reliable software systems, necessitating effective production methods.
Utilizing software engineering techniques tends to be more cost-effective in the long run compared to ad-hoc programming.