Software Engineering: Products and Costs

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Questions and Answers

What are the fundamental activities involved in software engineering?

Software specification, software development, software maintenance, and software deployment

Software specification, software development, software validation, and software integration

Software analysis, software design, software validation, and software testing

Software specification, software development, software validation, and software evolution (correct)

Which characteristic is essential for software that needs to adapt over time?

Dependability

Efficiency

Portability

Maintainability (correct)

What percentage of software costs are typically attributed to development?

50%

40%

60% (correct)

70%

What is a significant challenge facing software engineering today?

Coping with increasing diversity Signup and view all the answers

How has the web impacted software engineering?

It has led to advances in programming languages and software reuse. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of software maintenance costs?

They can exceed several times the development costs for long-life systems. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary characteristic of dependability in software systems?

Software should behave consistently without failures. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of dependable software?

Security Signup and view all the answers

Who owns the specification of what a generic software product should do?

The software developer or the organization that developed it. Signup and view all the answers

Why is understanding software specifications and requirements crucial in software development?

It ensures delivery within budget and aligned with user expectations. Signup and view all the answers

Which software engineering method is suggested for safety-critical control systems?

Complete and analyzable specification Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of customized software products?

They can be marketed to any customer without modification. Signup and view all the answers

In what way should existing resources be used in software development?

Existing software should be reused when appropriate to save time and costs. Signup and view all the answers

What does software efficiency refer to?

The effective use of system resources Signup and view all the answers

What primarily concerns software engineers in the field of software development?

Cost-effective software development. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key aspect of system development processes?

A managed and understood process with clear objectives. Signup and view all the answers

Which example is a customized software product?

Traffic monitoring systems developed for a specific city. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT an example of computer simulation modeling?

Database management systems Signup and view all the answers

What is a defining feature of generic software products?

They are marketed to the general public without further customization. Signup and view all the answers

In what context are advanced courses in software engineering typically taught?

To cover the professional development viewpoint of software. Signup and view all the answers

Why might software costs on a PC often exceed hardware costs?

Maintenance costs for software can be high over the long term. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key aspect of software engineering?

Concerned with all stages of software production Signup and view all the answers

Why is efficiency an important quality of software?

It influences user satisfaction and system performance Signup and view all the answers

What does acceptability in software refer to?

Comprehensibility and compatibility with user systems Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the main challenges in developing software for heterogeneous systems?

Ensuring effective communication across different platforms Signup and view all the answers

Why is security and trust critical in software engineering?

To maintain users' confidence and protect against attacks Signup and view all the answers

How does software engineering differ from personal programming projects?

Software engineering aims for long-term efficiency and reliability Signup and view all the answers

What is a key factor affecting software systems due to rapid business and social changes?

The necessity to adapt software quickly to new requirements Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about software engineering diversity is true?

Different types of software systems require tailored approaches Signup and view all the answers

What is the main factor that affects the choice of software engineering methods and tools?

The type of application being developed Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a stand-alone application?

Office applications on a PC Signup and view all the answers

Which type of application is designed to process data in large batches?

Batch processing systems Signup and view all the answers

What aspect is most crucial for entertainment systems?

The quality of user interaction Signup and view all the answers

Embedded control systems are primarily used for which purpose?

To manage hardware devices Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following applications would likely utilize a large data store accessed in each transaction?

Business systems accessed via web browsers Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of systems for modeling and simulation?

To model physical processes or situations Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic distinguishes an interactive transaction-based application from other types?

The reliance on user input for transactions Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Software Costs

Software maintenance costs are often significantly higher than software development costs.
For long-term projects, maintenance costs can exceed development costs several times over.
Software engineering aims to develop cost-effective software solutions.

Software Products

Software engineers focus on creating software products designed for sale.
Two main categories of software products: Generic and Customized.

Generic Products

Marketed and sold to a wide range of customers.
Examples: PC software such as graphics editors, project management tools, CAD software.

Customized Products (Bespoke Products)

Developed for specific customers to meet their unique needs.
Examples: embedded control systems, air traffic control software, traffic monitoring systems.

Product Specifications: Generic vs. Customized

Generic Product Specifications are owned by the developer, with the developer making decisions about changes.
Customized Product Specifications are owned by the customer, with the customer making decisions about required changes.

What is Software Engineering?

A discipline encompassing all aspects of software creation.
Includes initial specification, development, validation, and ongoing maintenance.

Key Software Engineering Activities

Software Specification - Defining what the software should do
Software Development - Building the software
Software Validation - Ensuring the software meets specifications
Software Evolution - Adapting the software to meet changing needs

Software Engineering vs. System Engineering

System engineering encompasses all aspects of computer-based systems: hardware, software, and processes.
Software engineering is a subset of this broader discipline focusing solely on software.

Major Software Engineering Challenges

Coping with increasing system complexity and diversity.
Meeting demands for rapid software delivery.
Developing software solutions that are reliable and trustworthy.

Software Engineering Costs

Roughly 60% of software costs are allocated to development, while 40% are dedicated to testing.
For custom software, evolution costs often outweigh development costs.

Best Software Engineering Techniques and Methods

No single technique is universally best; the chosen approach depends on the project's specific requirements.
For example, games may benefit from prototyping, while safety-critical applications require thorough, analyzable specifications.

Web's Influence on Software Engineering

The web has enabled software services and the development of highly distributed service-based systems.
Web-based development has driven advancements in programming languages and software reuse.

Essential Attributes of Good Software

Maintainability: Ability to adapt to evolving customer needs.
Dependability and Security: Reliability, security, and safety to prevent physical or economic damage.
Efficiency: Optimal use of system resources (memory, processing).
Acceptability: Understandable, usable, and compatible with existing systems.

Software Engineering - A Holistic Discipline

Encompasses all aspects of software creation, including both technical development and project management.
Aims to develop reliable, trustworthy software cost-effectively.

The Importance of Software Engineering

Modern society relies heavily on software systems, demanding reliable and trustworthy solutions.
Employing software engineering methods and techniques proves more cost-effective in the long run, especially in terms of post-launch changes.

General Issues Affecting Software Systems

Heterogeneity: Systems must operate across diverse networks and devices.
Business and Social Change: Rapidly changing environment necessitates adaptable software.
Security and Trust: Maintaining security and trust in software is crucial for its widespread use.

Software Engineering Diversity - A Range of Approaches

No universal set of techniques applies to all types of software.
Various methods and tools have emerged over time, tailored to different applications and development teams.
The most significant factor in choosing methods is the application type.

Application Types

Stand-alone applications: Run locally with all necessary functionality (e.g., office apps, editing software).
Interactive transaction-based applications: Executed remotely, accessed via web browsers or clients (e.g., e-commerce, business systems).
Embedded control systems: Control hardware devices (e.g., mobile phones, car anti-lock brakes).
Batch processing systems: Process data in large batches (e.g., phone billing, salary payments).
Entertainment systems: Primarily for personal use and entertainment (e.g., games).
Systems for modeling and simulation: Model physical processes for scientific and engineering purposes (e.g., weather forecasting, flight simulators).
Data collection systems: Collect data from the environment using sensors.
Systems of systems: Composed of multiple software systems.

Fundamental Software Engineering Principles

Managed Development Processes: Develop software using predefined, understood processes.
Dependability and Performance: Software should be reliable, efficient, and secure.
Specification and Requirements Management: Understanding and managing customer expectations.
Resource Optimization: Effective use of existing resources, including software reuse.

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Description

This quiz explores the distinctions between generic and customized software products and the associated costs of software development and maintenance. It covers key concepts that software engineers must consider when creating cost-effective solutions and product specifications. Test your understanding of these vital aspects of software engineering.