Software Engineering Challenges and Trends

Course Information

• Course Title: SE103 Introduction to Information Technology
• Module: Software Engineering
• Prepared by: Dr. Mohammad Malkawi, Dr. Moh'd Radaideh, Dr. Malik Qasaimeh, Dr. Hamza Al-Kofahi
• Department: Department of Software Engineering
• Faculty: Faculty of Computer and Information Technology
• University: Jordan University of Science and Technology
• Date: October 29, 2022

Part 1: Software Engineering Introductory View

• Origin of Software Engineering: Software Crisis: Software Engineering emerged due to the software crisis of the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, which highlighted problems in software development. Many projects exceeded budgets and schedules, and some caused property damage. Poor software security allowed hackers to steal identities, costing time, money, and reputation. Productivity was originally the focus, but evolved to emphasize quality. The term Software crisis was sometimes used to describe the difficulty of finding qualified programmers. Software failures, like the Therac-25 incident, can be catastrophic and deadly.

• Why Software Engineering?: $96.7 million of software projects illustrate the importance of software engineering. 45% were delivered, but not successfully used. 30% were paid for but not delivered, and 20% were usable but abandoned. These figures highlight the need for effective software development methodologies.

• Scientist vs. Engineer: Computer Scientists focus on theories like algorithms, languages, and knowledge representation schemes. Engineers focus on creating applications to solve client problems, utilizing tools, techniques and methods. Software Engineers work across domains with a 3-month time constraint.

• Software Engineering - A Problem Solving Activity: Software engineering is a problem-solving activity employing analysis, synthesis, techniques (methods), and methodologies to solve problems effectively. Formal procedures with well-defined notations are used. Methodologies bring these techniques together within a philosophical approach. Tools include instruments and automated systems to assist in achieving solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions about Software Engineering

• What is Software?: Computer programs and the associated documentation. They may be general market products or specific customer projects.

• Attributes of Good Software: Good software demonstrates functionality, performance, maintainability, dependability, and usability.

• What is Software Engineering?: Software Engineering is an engineering discipline concerned with all aspects of software production.

• Fundamental Software Engineering Activities: The core activities include specification, development, validation, and evolution.

• Difference between Software Engineering and Computer Science? Computer science focuses on theoretical fundamentals while software engineering emphasizes the practical application and development of useful software to build software.

• Difference between Software Engineering and System Engineering? System engineering encompasses all aspects of computer-based systems including hardware, software, and processes. Software engineering is a critical component of the overall system development process.

Part 2: Software Engineering Knowledge Areas (SEKAS)

• Software Requirements (SEKA#1): Software requirements describe the properties a system must exhibit to solve a problem, including elicitation, analysis, specification, and validation. Requirements management throughout the software lifecycle is essential.

• Software Design (SEKA#2): The design process defines architecture, components, interfaces, and other characteristics to produce a software description (internal structure) to be used in construction. This is a key step in software engineering.

• Software Construction (SEKA#3): This process involves coding, verification, unit and integration testing, and debugging to create operational software.

• Software Testing (SEKA#4): Dynamic verification to ensure the software behaves as expected according to a set of test cases selected from a potentially infinite execution domain. Testing is involved in verification, which is a critical part of engineering software.

• Software Maintenance (SEKA#5): An integral part of the software life cycle, yet often overlooked. It involves maintaining the software to accommodate changes and needs.

• Software Configuration Management (SEKA#6): Supporting software lifecycle processes that benefit project management, development, and quality assurance.

• Software Engineering Management (SEKA#7): Managing software projects and systems. This is done through a process often categorized into Initiation, Planning, Enactment, Review/Evaluation, and Closure phases.

• Software Engineering Process (SEKA#8): Concerned with all the activities to develop, maintain, and manage software (this includes requirements, design, construction, and testing activities.)

• Software Engineering Models and Methods (SEKA#9): Models provide the framework/guidelines and methods/strategies that lead to repeatable and systematic software engineering to solve problems with notations and procedures.

• Software Quality (SEKA#10): Culture, ethics, cost and value of quality, quality models and characteristics, quality improvement, software safety, software quality assurance, software quality control, software and system verification/validation, software reviews and audits, software quality requirements, software defects characterization, software quality management techniques, measurements, and tools.

• Software Engineering Professional Practice (SEKA#11): Focuses on ethical conduct, roles, nature of societies, economic impact, contract requirements, legal issues, documenting projects, and tradeoffs for advancement and improvement.

• Software Engineering Economics (SEKA#12): Concerned with the business decisions related to software engineering, aligning technical decisions with organizational goals. Activities have costs, and results give rise to economic attributes relating to things such as funding, accounting, cash flow, valuation and productivity.

• Computing Foundations (SEKA#13): Includes problem-solving, abstraction, programming methodologies, debugging, data structures and representations, algorithms, operating systems, basic concepts for systems, compilers, databases, data management, network communication, distributed computing, basic user factors, and developer factors.

• Mathematical Foundations (SEKA#14): Subjects such as set theory, relations, functions, proof techniques, graphs and trees, finite state machines, numerical precision, algebraic structures, logic, counting, discrete probability, and grammars and number theory underpin computational solutions.

• Engineering Foundations (SEKA#15): Includes empirical and experimental techniques, statistical analysis, measurements, engineering design, modeling, simulation, prototyping, standards, and root cause analysis.

Part 3: Software Engineering Job Opportunities, Careers, and Applications

• Becoming a Software Engineer:
  • What is a Software Engineer?: A computer science professional applying engineering principles to software development. They focus on creating software systems (typically customized solutions for clients).
  • Software Engineer vs. Developer: Both roles have similarities, but significant differences exist in focus, education, skills, and compensation. Engineers generally have a broader focus on the project, managing the whole lifecycle, while developers are more focused on front end or implementation.
  • Job Outlook: High demand with projected growth for specific roles (e.g., software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers) surpassing average occupational growth.
  • Average Salary: $78,061-115,741 yearly, depending on individual experience and location
  • Ways to Advance: Extensive practice coding, experience at large companies, strong soft skills, and undertaking leadership roles in projects to demonstrate professional initiative. Practical experience (personal projects, or external projects) is vital.

Reasons for the Demand of Software Engineers

• As technology grows, businesses (across industries) need innovative software development solutions.
• Identifying areas for improvement often leads to hiring Software Engineers to help develop systems and software solutions.
• This creates diverse career possibilities. Companies need to keep their software code updated to maximize performance and security, which is an ongoing demand in the field.
• Modern technology is expanding rapidly and leads to increased demand for software engineers to create and maintain this technology.
• Projects are becoming increasingly complex, further increasing the demand for specialists.

Tips for Working as a Software Engineer

• Follow Your Passion: Software engineers can work across a wide array of industries allowing freedom to work in an area you enjoy.
• Keep Your Skills Updated: Staying current on developing technologies and skills is important for success in the field.
• Build Your Professional Network: Networking within your field can offer opportunities for career advancement, referrals, and insights.
• Get Certified: Advanced studies like certifications demonstrate advanced skill sets and may increase appeal to potential employers.

Software Engineering Applications Types

• Stand-alone Applications: Systems that run entirely on a local computer not connected to a network.
• Interactive Transaction-based Applications: Run on remote computers accessed by terminals such as web applications.
• Embedded Control Systems: Systems controlling hardware components (the most common type in usage).
• Batch Processing Systems: Systems processing large amounts of data in batches creating corresponding outputs.
• Entertainment Systems: Systems aimed at personal enjoyment/entertainment and includes gaming or multimedia products.
• Modeling and Simulation Systems: Systems are developed to illustrate physical processes or situations.
• Data Collection Systems: Software systems collecting data from an environment using various sensors.
• Systems of Systems: These systems comprise many interconnected software components.

Part 4: Software Engineering Certifications

• Software Development International Certifications: AWS Certified DevOps Engineer, IEEE Certified Software Development Professional, National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional.
• Software Testing International Certifications: International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB): Certified Tester Foundation Level, Certified Tester Advanced Level Test Analyst and Certified Tester Advanced Level Test Manager, Certified Tester AI Testing and Certified Tester Game Testing.
• Software Security International Certifications: The International Council of Electronic Commerce Consultants (EC-Council) Certified Ethical Hacker, and the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).
• Project Management and Software Project Management International Certifications: Project Management Institute (PMI), Scrum.org.

Explore the fundamental challenges and trends in the software engineering field. This quiz covers topics such as software costs, development methods, job growth, and the critical importance of code maintenance. Test your knowledge on how the web impacts software engineering and the characteristics of dependable software.