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Chapter 1: Software and Software Engineering
Software and Software Engineering: The Nature of Software, The Unique Nature of WebApps,
Software Engineering, The Software Process, Software Engineering Practice, Software
Myths,How it all starts
Software and Software Engineering
Software engineering stands for the term is made of two words,Software and
Engineering.
Software is more than just a program code.A program is an executable code,which
serves some computational purpose. Software is considered to be collection of
executable programming code, associated libraries and documentations. Software,
when made for a specific requirement is called software product.
Engineering on the other hand,is all about developing products, using well-defined,
scientific principles and methods.
Software engineering is an engineering branch associated with development of
software product using well-defined scientific principles, methods and procedures. The
outcome of software engineering is an efficient and reliable software product.
Definitions
IEEE defines software engineering as:
(1) The application of a systematic, disciplined, quantifiable approach to the
development, operation and maintenance of software; that is, the application of
engineeringtosoftware.
(2) The study of approaches as in the above statement.
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FritzBauer,a German computer scientist, defines software engineering as:
Software engineering is the establishment and use of sound engineering principles
inorder to obtain economically software that is reliable and work efficiently on real
machines.
The Nature of Software
Software takes Dual role of Software. It is a Product and at the same time aVehiclefor
delivering a product.Software delivers the most important product of our time is called
information
Defining Software
Software is defined as
1. Instructions:Programs that when executed provide desired function,
features, and performance
2. Data structures: Enable the programs to adequately manipulate
information
3. Documents:Descriptive information in both hard copy and virtual
forms that describes the operation and use of the
programs.
Characteristics of software
Software has characteristics that are considerably different than those of hardware:
1) Software is developed or engineered,it is not manufactured in the Classical Sense.
Although some similarities exist between software development and hardware
manufacture, the two activities are fundamentally different. In both the activities, high
quality is achieved through good design, but the manufacturing phase for hardware can
introduce quality problems that are non existent or easily corrected for software. Both
the activities are dependent on people, but the relationship between people is totally
varying. These two activities require the construction of a "product" but the approaches
are different. Software costs are concentrated in engineering which means that software
projects cannot be managed as if they were manufacturing.
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2) Software doesn’t “WearOut”
The following figure shows the relationship between failure rate and time.
Consider the failure rate as a function of time for hardware. The relationship is called
the bath tub curve, indicates that hardware exhibits relatively high failure rates early
in its life,defects are corrected and the failure rate drops to a steady-state level for
some period of time. As time passes, however, the failure rate rises again as hardware
components suffer from the cumulative effects of dust, vibration, abuse, temperature
extremes, and many other environmental maladies. So,
stated simply,the hardware begins to wearout. Software is not susceptible to the
environmental maladies that cause hardware to wear out
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3) All though the industry is moving toward component-based construction,
most software continues to be custom built
A software component should be designed and implemented so that it can be
reused in many different programs. Modern reusable components encapsulate both data
and the processing that is applied to the data, enabling the software engineer to create
new applications from reusable parts.
Software Application Domains
Seven Broad Categories of softwareare challenges for software engineers
1. System software:
A collection of programs written to service other programs.Some system software
(e.g., compilers, editors, and file management utilities)
2. Application software:
Stand-alone programs that solve a specific business need.Application software
is used to control business functions in real time (e.g., point-of-sale transaction
processing, real-time manufacturing process control).
3. Engineering/scientific software :
It has been characterized by “number crunching” algorithms. Applications range
from astronomy to volcanology, from automotive stress analysis to space shuttle
orbital dynamics, and from molecular biology to automated manufacturing.
4. Embedded software :
It resides within a product or system and isused to implement and control
features and functions for the end user and for the system itself. Embedded
softwarecan perform limited and esoteric functions (e.g., keypad control for a
microwave oven) or provide significant function and control capability (e.g.,
digital functions in an automobile such as fuel control, dashboard displays, and
braking systems).
5. Product-line software :
Designed to provide a specific capability for use by many different customers.
Product-line softwarecan focus on a limited and esoteric marketplace (e.g.,
inventory control products) or address mass consumer markets (e.g., word
processing, spreadsheets, computer graphics, multimedia, entertainment,
database management, and personal and business financial applications).
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6. Web applications :
These Applications called “WebApps,” this network-centric software category
spans a wide array of applications. In their simplest form, WebApps can be little
more than a set of linked hypertext files that present information using text and
limited graphics.
7. Artificial intelligence software :
These makes use of non numerical algorithms to solve complex problems that
are not amenable to computation or straightforward analysis.Applications within
this area include robotics, expert systems, pattern recognition (image and voice),
artificial neural networks, theorem proving, and game playing.
New Software Challenges
Open-world computing : Creating software to allow machines of all sizes to
communicate with each other across vast networks (Distributed computing—
wireless networks)
Netsourcing:Architecting simple and sophisticated applications that benefit
targeted end-user markets worldwide (the Web as a computing engine)
Open Source : Distributing source code for computing applications so
customers can make local modifications easily and reliably ( “free” source code
open to the computing community)
Legacy Software
Legacy software is older programs that are developed decades ago.
The quality of legacy software is poor because it has inextensible design,
convoluted code,poor and non existent documentation, test cases and
results that are not achieved.
As time passes legacy systems evolve due to following reasons:
The software must be adapted to meet the needs of new computing
environment or technology.
The software must be enhanced to implement new business requirements.
The software must be extended to make it interoperable with more modern
systems or database
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The software must be re-architected to make it viable within a network
environment.
Unique Nature of WebApps
In the early days of the World Wide Web, websites consisted of little more than
a set of linked hypertext files that presented information using text and limited graphics.
As time passed, the augmentation of HTML by development tools (e.g., XML, Java)
enabled Web engineers to provide computing capability along with informational
content. Web-based systems and applications (WebApps) wereborn. Today, WebApps
have evolved into sophisticated computing tools that not only provide stand-alone
function to the end user, but also have been integrated with corporate databases and
business applications.
WebApps are one of a number of distinct software categories. Web-based
systems and applications “involve a mixture between print publishing and software
development, between marketing and computing, between internal communications and
external relations, and between art and technology.”
The following attributes are encountered in the vast majority of WebApps.
Network intensiveness. A WebApp resides on a network and must serve the
needs of a diverse community of clients. The network may enable worldwide
access and communication (i.e., the Internet) or more limited access and
communication (e.g., a corporate Intranet).
Concurrency. A large number of users may access the Web App at one time. In
many cases, the patterns of usage among end users will vary greatly.
Unpredictable load. The number of users of the WebApp may vary by orders
of magnitude from day to day. One hundred users may show up on Monday;
10,000 may use the system on Thursday.
Performance. If a WebApp user must wait too long, he or she may decide to go
elsewhere.
Availability. Although expectation of 100 percent availability is un reasonable,
users of popular WebApps often demand access on a 24/7/365 basis
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Data driven. The primary function of many WebApps is to use hyper media to
present text, graphics, audio, and video content to the end user. In addition,
WebApps are commonly used to access information that exists on databases that
are not an integral part of the Web-based environment (e.g., e-commerce or
financial applications).
Content sensitive. The quality and aesthetic nature of content remains an
important determinant of the quality of a WebApp.
Continuous evolution. Unlike conventional application software that evolves
over a series of planned,chronologically spaced releases,Web applications
evolve continuously.
Immediacy. Although immediacy—the compelling need to get software to
market quickly—is a characteristic of many application domains, WebApps
often exhibit a time- to-market that can be a matter of a few days or weeks.
Security. Because WebApps are available via network access, it is difficult, if
not impossible, to limit the population of end users who may access the
application. In order to protect sensitive content and provide secure modes
esthetics. An undeniable part of the appeal of a WebApp is its look and feel.
When an application has been designed to market or sell products or ideas,
aesthetics may have as much to do with success as technical design.
Software Engineering-A Layered Technology
Inorder to build software that is ready to meet the challenges of the twenty-first
century, you must recognize a few simple realities
Problem should be understood before software solution is developed
Design is a pivotal Software Engineering activity
Software should exhibit high quality
Software should be maintainable
These simple realities lead to one conclusion.Software in all of its forms and
across all of its application domains should be engineered.
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SoftwareEngineering:
Fritz Bauer defined as:
Software engineering is the establishment and use of sound engineering principles
inorder to obtain economically software that is reliable and works efficiently on real
machines.
IEEE has developed a more comprehensive definition as :
1) Software engineering is the application of a systematic, disciplined,
quantifiable approach to the development, operation, and
maintenance of software.
2) The study approaches as in(1)
Software Engineering is a layered technology.Software Engineering encompasses a Process,
Methods for managing and engineering software and tools. The following Figure represents
Software engineering Layers
Software engineering is a layered technology.Referring to above Figure,any
engineering approach must rest on an organizational commitment to quality.
The bedrock that supports software engineering is a quality focus.
The foundation for software engineering is the process layer. The software
engineering process is the glue that holds the technology layers together and enables
rational and timely development of computer software. Process defines a framework that
must be established for effective delivery of software engineering technology.
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Software engineering methods provide the technical how-to’s for building
software. Methods encompass a broad array of tasks that include communication,
requirements analysis, design modeling, program construction, testing, and support.
Software engineering tools provide automated or semi automated support for the
process and the methods. When tools are integrated so that information created by one
tool canbe used by another, a system for the support of software development, called
computer-aided software engineering, is established.
The Software Process
A process is a collection of activities, actions, and tasks that are performed
when some work product is to be created.
An activity strives to achieve a broad objective (e.g., communication with
stakeholders) and is applied regardless of the application domain, size of the project,
complexity of the effort, or degree of rigor with which software engineering is to be
applied.
An action encompasses a set of tasks that produce a major work product (e.g.,
an architectural design model).
task focuses on a small, but well-defined objective (e.g., conducting a unit test)
that produces a tangible outcome.
A process framework establishes the foundation for a complete software
engineering process by identifying a small number of framework activities that are
applicable to all software projects, regardless of their size or complexity. In addition,
the process framework encompassesa set of umbrella activities that are applicable
across the entire software process.
A generic process framework for software engineering encompasses five activities:
Communication. Before any technical work can commence, it is critically
important to communicate and collaborate with the customer. The intent is to
understand stakeholders objectives for the project and to gather requirements
that help define software features and functions.
Planning. Any complicated journey can be simplified if a map exists. A
software project is a complicated journey, and the planning activity creates a
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“map” that helps guide the team as it makes the journey. The map—called a
software project plan—defines the software engineering work by describing the
technical tasks to be conducted, the risksthat are likely, the resources that will be
required, the work products to be produced, anda work schedule.
Modeling. Creation of models to help developers and customers understand the
requires and software design
Construction. This activity combines code generation and the testing that is
required to uncover errors in the code.
Deployment. The software is delivered to the customer who evaluates the
delivered product and provides feedback based on the evaluation.
These five generic framework activities can be used during the development of
small, simple programs, the creation of large Web applications, and for the engineering
of large, complex computer-based systems.
Software engineering process framework activities are complemented by a number
of Umbrella Activities. In general, umbrella activities are applied throughout a
software project and help a software team manage and control progress, quality,
change, and risk. Typical umbrella activities include:
Software project tracking and control—allows the software team to
assess progress against the project plan and take any necessary action to
maintain the schedule.
Risk management—assesses risks that may affect the outcome of the
project or the quality of the product.
Software quality assurance— defines and conducts the activities
required to ensure software quality.
Technical reviews—assesses software engineering work products in an effort
to uncover and remove errors before they are propagated to the next activity.
Measurement—defines and collects process, project, and product measures that
assist the team in delivering software that meets stakeholders needs; can be used
in conjunction with all other framework and umbrella activities.
Software configuration management—manages the effects of change
through out the software process.
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Reusability management—defines criteria for work product reuse and
establishes mechanisms to achieve reusable components.
Work product preparation and production—encompasses the activities
required to create work products such as models, documents, logs, forms,
and lists.
Attributes for Comparing Process Models
Over all flow and level of inter dependencies among tasks
Degree to which work tasks are defined within each framework activity
Degree to which work products are identified and required
Manner in which quality assurance activities are applied
Manner in which project tracking and control activities are applied
Over all degree of detail and rig or of process description
Degree to which stakeholders are involved in the project
Level of autonomy given to project team
Degree to which team organization and roles are prescribed
The Software Engineering Practice
The Essence of Practice
Understand the problem(communication and analysis)
Plan a solution(software design)
Carry out the plan (code generation)
Examine the result for accuracy(testing and quality assurance)
Understand the Problem
Who are the stakeholders?
What functions and features are required to solve the problem?
Is it possible to create smaller problems that are easier to understand?
Can a graphic analysis model be created?
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Plan the Solution
Have you seen similar problems before?
Has a similar problem been solved?
Can readily solvable sub-problems be defined?
Can a design model be created?
Carry Out the Plan
Does the solution conform to the plan?
Is each solution component provably correct?
Examine the Result
Is it possible to test each component part of the solution?
Does the solution produce results that conform to the data, functions, and features
required?
Software General Principles The dictionary defines the word principle as “an important
underlying law or assumption required in a system of thought.” David Hooker has
proposed seven principles that focus on software engineering practice.
The First Principle: The Reason It All Exists A software system exists for one reason:
to provide value to its users.
The Second Principle: KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid!) Software design is not a
haphazard process. There are many factors to consider in any design effort. All design
should be as simple as possible, but no simpler.
The Third Principle: Maintain the Vision A clear vision is essential to the success of a
software project. Without one, a project almost unfailingly ends up being “of two [or
more] minds” about itself.
The Fourth Principle: What You Produce, Others Will Consume
Always specify, design, and implement knowing someone else will have to understand
what you are doing.
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The Fifth Principle: Be Open to the Future A system with a long lifetime has more
value. Never design yourself into a corner. Before beginning a software project, be sure
the software has a business purpose and that users perceive value in it.
The Sixth Principle: Plan Ahead for Reuse Reuse saves time and effort. Planning ahead
for reuse reduces the cost and increases the value of both the reusable components and the
systems into which they are incorporated.
The Seventh Principle: Think! Placing clear, complete thought before action almost
always produces better results. When you think about something, you are more likely to
do it right.
Software Myths
Software Myths-beliefs about software and the process used to build it –can be traced
to the earliest days of computing. Myths have a number of attributes that have made
them insidious. For instance, myths appear to be reasonable statements of fact, they
have an intuitive feel, and they are often promulgated by experienced practitioners
who “know the score”
Management Myths:
Managers with software responsibility, like managers in most disciplines, are
often under pressure to maintain budgets, keep schedules from slipping, and improve
quality. Like a drowning person who grasps at a straw, a software manager often grasps
at belief in a software myth.
Myth : We already have a book that’s full of standards and procedures for building
software. Won’t that provide my people with everything they
need to know?
Reality :
The book of standards may very well exist, but is it used?
Are software practitioners aware of its existence?
Does it reflect modern software engineering practice?
Is it complete?
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Is it adaptable?
Is it streamlined to improve time to delivery while still maintaining a focus on quality?
In many cases, the answer to these entire questions is NO.
Myth: If we get behind schedule, we can add more programmers and catch up.
Reality: Software development is not a mechanistic process like manufacturing. “Adding
people... to a late software project makes it later.” At first, this statement may seem
counter intuitive. However, as new people are added, people who were working must
spend time educating the new comers, there by reducing the amount of time spent on
productive development effort
Myth:If we decide to out source the software project to a third party, I can just
relax and let that firm build it.
Reality:If an organization does not underst and how to manage and control
software project internally, it will invariably struggle when it out sources
software project.
Customer Myths
A customer who requests computer software may be a person at the next desk,a
technical group down the hall, the marketing /sales department, or an outside company
that has requested software under contract. In many cases, the customer believes myths
about software because software managers and practitioners do little to correct
misinformation. Myths led to false expectations and ultimately, dissatisfaction with the
developers.
Myth :A general statement of objectives is sufficient to begin writing programs-we can fill
in details later.
Reality:Although a comprehensive and stable statement of requirements is not always
possible, an ambiguous statement of objectives is a recipe for disaster. Unambiguous
requirements are developed only through effective and continuous communication
between customer and developer.
Myth:Project requirements continually change,but change can be easily
accommodated because software is flexible.
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Reality : It’s true that software requirement change, but the impact of change varies
with thetime at which it is introduced. When requirement changes are requested early,
cost impact is relatively small. However, as time passes, cost impact grows rapidly –
resources have been committed, a design framework has been established, and change
can cause upheaval that requires additional resources and major design modification.
Practitioner's myths.
Myths that are still believed by software practitioners have been fostered by 50 years
of programming culture. During the early days of software, programming was viewed
as an art form. Old ways and attitudes die hard.
Myth:Once we write the program and get it to work,our job is done.
Reality: Someone once said that "the sooner you begin 'writing code', the longer it'll
take you to get done.” Industry data indicate that between 60 and 80 percent of all effort
expended on software will be expended after it is delivered to the customer for the first
time.
Myth:Until Iget the program "running"I have no way of assessing its quality.
Reality: One of the most effective software quality assurance mechanisms can be
applied from the inception of a project—the formal technical review. Software reviews
are a "quality filter" that have been found to be more effective than testing for finding
certain classes of software defects.
Myth: The only deliverable work product for a successful project is the working
program. Reality: A working program is only one part of a software configuration that
includes many elements.Documentation provides a foundation for successful
engineering and, more important, guidance for software support.
Myth:Software engineering will make us create voluminous and unnecessary
documentation and will invariably slow us down.
Reality:Software engineering is not about creating documents. It is about creating
quality. Better quality leads to reduced rework. And reduced rework results in faster
delivery times. Many software professionals recognize the fallacy of the myths just
described. Regrettably, habitual attitudes and methods foster poor management and
technical practices,even when reality dictates a better approach. Recognition of
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software realities is the first step toward formulation of practical solutions for software
engineering.
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Chapter 2: PROCESS MODELS
Process Models: A Generic Process Model, Process Assessment and Improvement,Prescriptive
Process Models, Specialized Process Models, The Unified Process, Personal and Team Process
Models, Process Technology, Product and Process.
A GENERIC PROCESS MODEL
The software process is represented schematically in following figure. Each
framework activity is populated by a set of software engineering actions. Each software
engineering actionis defined by a task set that identifies the work tasks that are to be
completed, the work products that will be produced, the quality assurance points that
will be required, and the milestones that will be used to indicate progress.
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A generic process framework defines five framework activities—
communication, planning, modeling, construction, and deployment.
In addition,a set of umbrella activities project tracking and control, risk
management, quality assurance, configuration management, technical reviews,
and others are applied throughout the process.
This aspect is called process flow. It describes how the framework activities and
the actions and tasks that occur within each framework activity are organized with
respect to sequence and time and is illustrated in following figure
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A generic process framework for software engineering A linear process flow executes
each of the five framework activities in sequence, beginning with communication and
culminating with deployment.
An iterative process flow repeats one or more of the activities before proceeding to the
next. An evolutionary process flow executes the activities in a “circular” manner. Each
circuit through the five activities leads to a more complete version of the software. A
parallel process flow executes one or more activities in parallel with other activities
(e.g., modeling for one aspect of the software might be executed in parallel with
construction of another aspect of the software).
Defining a Framework Activity
A software team would need significantly more information before it could properly
execute any one of these activities as part of the software process. Therefore, you are
faced with a key question: What actions are appropriate for a framework activity, given
the nature of the problem to be solved, the characteristics of the people doing the work,
and the stakeholders who are sponsoring the project?
Identifying a TaskSet
Different projects demand different task sets. The software team chooses the
task set based on problem and project characteristics. A task set defines the actual work
to be done to accomplish the objectives of a software engineering action.
ProcessPatterns
A process pattern describes a process-related problem that is encountered
duringsoftware engineering work, identifies the environment in which the problem has
been encountered, and suggests one or more proven solutions to the problem. Stated in
more general terms, a process pattern provides you with a template —a consistent
method for describing problem solutions within the context of the software
process.
Patterns can be defined at any level of abstraction. a pattern might be used to
describe a problem (and solution) associated with a complete process model (e.g.,
prototyping). In other situations, patterns can be used to describe a problem (and
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solution) associated with a framework activity (e.g., planning) or an action within a
framework activity (e.g., project estimating).
Ambler has proposed a template for describing aprocess pattern:
Pattern Name. The pattern is given a meaningful name describing it within the context
of the software process (e.g., TechnicalReviews).
Forces. The environment in which the pattern is encountered and the issues that make
the problem visible and may affect its solution.
Type.The pattern type is specified. Ambler suggests three types:
1. Stage pattern—defines a problem associated with a framework activity for
the process. Since a framework activity encompasses multiple actions and
work tasks, a stage pattern incorporates multiple task patterns (see the
following) that are relevant to the stage (framework activity). An example of
a stage pattern might be Establishing Communication. This pattern would
incorporate the task pattern Requirements Gathering and others.
2. Task pattern—defines a problem associated with a software engineering
action or work task and relevant to successful software engineering practice
(e.g., Requirements Gathering is a task pattern).
3. Phase pattern—define the sequence of framework activities that occurs
within the process, even when the overall flow of activities is iterative in
nature. An example of a phase pattern might be Spira lModel or
Prototyping.
Initial context.Describes the conditions under which the pattern applies.Priorto the
initiation of the pattern:
(1) What organizational or team-related activities have already occurred?
(2) What is the entry state for the process?
(3) What software engineering information or project information already exists?
Problem. The specific problem to be solved by the pattern.
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Solution. Describes how to implement the pattern successfully. It also describes how
software engineering information or project information that is available before the
initiation of thepattern is transformed as a consequence of the successful execution of
the pattern.
Resulting Context. Describes the conditions that will result once the
pattern has been successfully implemented. Upon completion of the pattern:
(1) What organizational or team-related activities must have occurred?
(2) What is the exit state for the process?
(3) What software engineering information or project information has been
developed?
Related Patterns. Provide a list of all process patterns that are directly related to this one.
This may be represented as a hierarchy or in some other diagrammatic form.
Known Uses and Examples. Indicate the specific instances in which the pattern is
applicable.
Process patterns provide an effective mechanism for addressing problems associated
with any software process. The patterns enable you to develop a hierarchical
processdescription that begins at a high level of abstraction (a phase pattern).
PROCESS ASSESSMENT AND IMPROVEMENT
Assessment attempts to underst and the current state of the software
process with the intent of improving it.
A number of different approaches to software process assessment and improvement
have been proposed over the past few decades.
Standard CMMI Assessment Method for Process Improvement (SCAMPI)—provides
a five step process assessment model that incorporates five phases: initiating,
diagnosing, establishing, acting, and learning. The SCAMPI method uses the SEI
CMMI as the basis for assessment.
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CMM-Based Appraisal for Internal Process Improvement (CBA IPI)— provides a
diagnostic technique for assessing the relative maturity of a software organization; uses
the SEI CMM asthe basis for the assessment.
SPICE (ISO/IEC15504)—a standard that defines a set of requirements for software
process assessment. The intent of the standard is to assist organizations in developing
an objective evaluation of the efficacy of any defined software process.
ISO 9001:2000 for Software—a generic standard that applies to any organization that
wants to improve the overall quality of the products, systems, or services that it
provides. Therefore, the standard is directly applicable to software organizations and
companies.
PRESCRIPTIVE PROCESS MODELS
Prescriptive process models were originally proposed to bring order to the chaos
of software development. Prescriptive process models define a prescribed set of process
elements and a predictable process work flow. “prescriptive” because they prescribe a
set of process elements—framework activities, software engineering actions, tasks,
work products, quality assurance, and change control mechanisms for each project.
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Process
Models
Prescriptive Specialized
Models Process Models
Component-
Waterfall Incremental Evolutionary
Based
Models Process Models Process Models
Development
The Formal
Proto typing
Methods Model
Aspect-Oriented
Spiral model Software
Development
Concurrent
development
model
TheWaterfall Model
The waterfall model, sometimes called the classic life cycle, suggests a
systematic, sequential approach to software development that begins with customer
specification of requirements and progresses through planning, modeling,
construction, and deployment.
A variation in the representation of the waterfall model is called the V-model.
Represented in following figure. The V-model depicts the relationship of quality
assuranc eactions to the actions associated with communication, modeling, and early
construction activities.
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As a software team moves down the left side of the V, basic problem
requirements are refined into progressively more detailed and technical representations
of the problem and its solution. Once code has been generated, the team moves up the
right side of the V, essentially performing a series of tests that validate each of the
models created as the team moved down the left side. The V-model provides a way of
visualizing how verification and validation actions are applied to earlier engineering
work.
The waterfall model is the oldest paradigm for software engineering. The
problems that are sometimes encountered when the waterfall model is applied are:
1. Real projects rarely follow these quential flow that the model
proposes.Although the linear model can accommodate iteration, it does so
indirectly. As a result, changes can cause confusion as the project team
proceeds.
2. It is often difficult for the customer to state all requirements
explicitly.Thewaterfall model requires this and has difficulty
accommodating the natural uncertainty that exists at the beginning of
many projects.
3. The customer must have patience.A working version of the program(s)
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will not be available until late in the project time span.
This model is suitable when ever limited number of new development efforts
and whenrequirements are well defined and reasonably stable.
IncrementalProcessModels
The incremental model delivers a series of releases, called increments, that
provide progressively more functionality for the customer as each increment is
delivered.
The incremental model combines elements of linear and parallel process flows
.The incremental model applies linear sequences in a staggered fashion as calendar time
progresses. Each linear sequence produces deliverable “increments” of the software in a
manner that is similar to the increments produced by an evolutionary process flow.
For example, word-processing software developed using the incremental
paradigm might deliver basic file management, editing, and document production
functions in the first increment; more sophisticated editing and document production
capabilities in the second increment; spelling and grammar checking in the third
increment; and advanced page layout capability inthe fourth increment.
When an incremental model is used, the first increment is often a core product. That is,
basic requirements are addressed but many supplementary features remain undelivered.
The core product is used by the customer. As a result of use and/or evaluation, a plan is
developed for the next increment. The plan addresses the modification of the core
product to better meet the needs of the customer and the deliveryof additional features
and functionality. This process is repeated following the delivery of each increment,
until the complete product is produced.
Incremental development is particularly useful when staffing is unavailable for
a complete implementation by the business deadline that has been established for the
project.Early increments can be implemented with fewer people. If the core product is
well received, then additional staff (if required) can be added to implement the next
increment. In addition, increments can be planned to manage technical risks.
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Fig:IncrementalModel
EvolutionaryProcessModels
Evolutionary models are iterative.They are characterized in a manner that
enables you to develop increasingly more complete versions of the software with each
iteration. There are two common evolutionary process models.
Prototyping Model : Often, a customer defines a set of general objectives for
software, but does not identify detailed requirements for functions and features. In other
cases, the developer may be unsure of the efficiency of an algorithm, the adaptability of
an operating system, or the form that human-machine interaction should take. In these,
and many other situations, a prototyping paradigm may offer the best approach.
Although prototyping can be used as a stand-alone process model,it is more
commonly used as a technique that can be implemented within the context of any one
of the process models. The prototyping paradigm begins with communication. You
meet with other stakeholders to define the overall objectives for the software, identify
whatever requirements are known, and outline areas where further definition is
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mandatory. A prototyping iteration is planned quickly, and modeling (in the form of a
“quickdesign”) occurs.A quick design focuses on are presentation of those aspects of
the software that will be visible to end users.
Fig:prototyping paradigm
The quick design leads to the construction of a prototype. The prototype is
deployedand evaluated bystakeholders, who provide feedback that is used to further
refine requirements.
Iteration occurs as the prototype is tuned to satisfy the needs of various
stakeholders,while at the same time enabling you to better understand what needs to be
done.
The prototype serves as a mechanism for identifying software requirements. If a
working prototype is to be built, you can make use of existing program fragments or
apply tools that enable working programs to be generated quickly.The prototype can
serve as “the first system.” Prototyping can be problematic for the following reasons:
1. Stakeholders see what appears to be a working version of the software,
unaware that the prototype is held to gether haphazardly, unaware that in
the rush to get it working you haven’t considered overall software quality
or long-term maintainability.
2. As a software engineer, you often make implementation compromises in
order to geta prototype working quickly. An inappropriate operating system
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or programming language may be used simply because it is available and
known; an inefficient algorithm may be implemented simply to demonstrate
capability.
Although problems can occur, prototyping can be an effective paradigm for software
engineering.
The Spiral Model : Originally proposed by Barry Boehm, the spiral model is an
evolutionary software process model that couples the iterative nature of prototyping
with the controlled and systematic aspects of the waterfall model. It provides the
potential for rapid development of increasingly more complete versions of the software.
Boehm describesthe model in the following manner
The spiral development model is a risk-driven process model generator that is
used to guide multi-stakeholder concurrent engineering of software intensive
systems. It has twomain distinguishing features. One is a cyclic approach for
incrementally growing a system’s degree of definition and implementation while
decreasing its degree of risk. The other is a set of anchor point milestones for ensuring
stakeholder commitment to feasible and mutually satisfactory system solutions.
Using the spiral model, software is developed in a series of
evolutionaryreleases. During early iterations, the release might be a model or prototype.
During later iterations, increasingly more complete versions of the engineered system
are produced.
Fig:TheSpiral Model
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A spiral model is divided into a set of framework activities defined by the software
engineering team. As this evolutionary process begins, the software team performs
activities that are implied by a circuit around the spiral in a clockwise direction, beginning
at the center. Riskis considered as each revolution is made. Anchor point milestones are
a combination of work products and conditions that are attained along the path of the
spiral are noted for each evolutionary pass.
The first circuit around the spiral might result in the development of a product
specification; subsequent passes around the spiral might be used to develop a prototype
and then progressively more sophisticated versions of the software. Each pass through
the planning region results in adjustments to the project plan.
The spiral model can be adapted to apply throughout the life of the computer
software.Therefore, the first circuit around the spiral might represent a “concept
development project” that starts at the core of the spiral and continues for multiple
iterations until concept development is complete.The new product will evolvethrough
anumber ofiterations around thespiral. Later, a circuit around the spiral might be used to
represent a “product enhancement project.”
The spiral model is a realistic approach to the development of large-scale
systems and software. Because software evolves as the process progresses, the
developer and customer better understand and react to risks at each evolutionary level.
It maintains the systematic stepwise approach suggested by the classic life cycle but
incorporates it into an iterative framework that more realistically reflects the real world.
ConcurrentModels
The concurrent development model, sometimes called concurrent engineering,
allows a software team to represent iterative and concurrent elements of any of the
process models. The concurrent model is often more appropriate for product
engineering projects where different engineering teams are involved.
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These models provides a schematic representation of one software engineering
activity within the modeling activity using a concurrent modeling approach. The
activity modeling may be in any one of the states noted at any given time. Similarly,
other activities, actions, or tasks (e.g., communication or construction) can be
represented in an analogous manner.
Fig:Concurrentdevelopmentmodel
All software engineering activities exist concurrently but reside in different
states. Concurrent modeling defines a series of events that will trigger transitions from
state to state for each of the software engineering activities, actions, or tasks. This
generates the event analysis model correction,which will trigger the requirements
analysis action from the done state into the awaiting changes state.
Concurrent modeling is applicable to all types of software development and
provides an accurate picture of the current state of a project. Each activity, action, or
task on the network exists simultaneously with other activities, actions, or tasks. Events
generated at one point in the process network trigger transitions among the states.
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SPECIALIZED PROCESS MODELS
Component-Based Development
The component-based development model incorporates many of the
characteristics of the spiral model. It is evolutionary in nature, demanding an iterative
approach to the creation of software. However, the component-based development
model constructs applications from prepackaged software components.
Modeling and construction activities begin with the identification of candidate
components. These components can be designed as either conventional software
modules or object-oriented classes or packages of classes. Regardless of the
technologythat is used to create the components, the component-based development
model incorporates the following steps
1. Available component-based products are researched and evaluated for the application
domain in question.
2. Component integration issues are considered.
3. A software architecture is designed to accommodate the components.
4. Components are integrated into the architecture.
5. Comprehensive testing is conducted to ensure proper functionality.
The component-based development model leads to software reuse, and reusability
provides software engineers with a number of measurable benefits.
TheFormal Methods Model
The formal methods model encompasses a set of activities that leads to formal
mathematical specification of computer software. Formal methods enable you to
specify, develop, and verify a computer-based system by applying a rigorous,
mathematical notation. A variation on this approach, called clean room software
engineering.
When formal methods are used during development, they provide a mechanism
for eliminatingmanyofthe problems that aredifficult to overcome using othersoftware
engineering paradigms. Ambiguity, incompleteness, and inconsistency can be
discovered and corrected more easily, but through the application of mathematical
analysis.
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When formal methods are used during design, they serve as a basis for program
verification and therefore enable you to discover and correct errors that might
otherwise go undetected.Although not a main stream approach,the formal methods
model offers the promise of defect-free software.
DrawBacks:
The development of formal models is currently quite time-consuming and expensive.
Because few software developers have the necessary background to apply formal
methods, extensive training is required.
It is difficult to use the models as a communication mechanism for technically
unsophisticated customers.
Aspect-Oriented Software Development
AOSD defines “aspects” that express customer concerns that cut across multiple
system functions, features, and information. When concerns cut across multiple system
functions, features, and information, they are often referred to as crosscutting concerns.
Aspectual requirements define those crosscutting concerns that have an impact across
the software architecture.
Aspect-oriented software development (AOSD), often referred to as aspect-
oriented programming (AOP), is a relatively new software engineering paradigm that
provides a process and methodological approach for defining, specifying, designing,
and constructing aspects.”
Grundy provides further discussion of aspects in the context of what he calls
aspect- oriented component engineering (AOCE):
AOCE uses a concept of horizontal slices through vertically-decomposed
software components, called “aspects,” to characterize cross-cutting functional and
non-functional properties of components.
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