adminAs defined by IEEE, software engineering is “the application of a systematic, disciplined, quantifiable approach to the development, operation and maintenance of software; that is, the application of engineering to software.”
Its main goal is to develop systematic models and reliable techniques for producing high-quality software on time and within budget, and these concerns extend all the way from theory and principles to daily practice.
The domain of software engineering also extends downward through systems infrastructure since software engineers develop software infrastructure that is robust in operation.
Its domain also extends upward into organisational issues because software engineers are interested in designing and developing information systems that are appropriate to the client organisation.
Drawing on computing as one of its foundations, software engineering seeks to develop and use systematic models and reliable techniques to produce high-quality software.
These concerns extend from theory and principles to the development practices that are most visible to those outside the discipline.
It is unlikely that every software engineer will have deep expertise in all aspects of computing, but a general understanding and expertise in computing are a necessity since software engineering is an engineering discipline with foundations in computer science.
Software engineering maintains a stronger association with computer science than may be the case for some other engineering fields.
Some critical characteristics common to every other engineering discipline are equally applicable to software engineering.
Like any other engineering disciplines, software engineering involves modelling, designing and developing technologies that enable new forms of behaviour.
There is a great misconception between software engineering and mere programming.
It is important to note that a software programmer understands translation from a given design specification into code whereas a software engineer applies a disciplined approach to the application of systematic techniques in the analysis, designing, implementation, testing and maintenance of software.
Software engineers apply critical thinking in decision making.
They carefully evaluate options and select appropriate approaches for a given task at each decision point.
There are a number of metrics that are used to both quantitatively and qualitatively analyse the software process and product development.
The choice and use of appropriate tools is a key aspect of software engineering.
Teamwork also plays a crucial role in software engineering since enterprise software development cannot be achieved by an individual.
Software engineers, through participation in professional societies, continuously advance the field by the development and validation of principles, standards, and best practices.
According to ACM/IEEE body of knowledge, there are 10 knowledge areas that make up the Software Engineering discipline.
These are Computing Essentials (CMP), Mathematical and Engineering Fundamentals (FND), Professional Practice (PRF), Software Modelling and Analysis (MAA), Requirements Analysis and Specification (REQ), Software Design (DES), Software Verification & Validation (VAV), Software Process (PRO), Software Quality (QUA), Security (SEC).
Having covered the essentials of software engineering, the million-dollar question becomes: What are the career prospects for a software engineering graduate?
There are a number of career opportunities available.
These include:
Software engineer
Software developer
Project manager
Software tester
Software architect
Software quality assurance professional
Data scientist
Configuration manager
Systems analyst
Systems engineer
Academicians and researchers
Prudence Kadebu and Addlight Mukwazvure are lecturers in software engineering at the Harare Institute of Technology. Kadebu also serves as the chairperson of the Software Engineering Department.
For further details on our programmes,
Email [email protected]
Visit our website on http://www.hit.ac.zw
Like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/HarareInstituteofTechnology
Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/HarareInstitute
Telephone: 04-741422-36.
Online Reporter