Introduction to Software Engineering

Virtually all countries now depend on complex computer-based systems. National infrastructures and utilities rely on computer-based systems and most electrical products include a computer and controlling software. Industrial manufacturing and distribution is completely computerised as is the financial system. Therefore producing and maintaining software cost-effectively is essential for the functioning of national and international economies. Software engineering is an engineering discipline whose focus is the cost effective development of high-quality software systems. Software is abstract and intangible. It is not constrained by materials or governed by physical laws or by manufacturing processes. In some ways this simplifies software engineering as there are no physical limitations on the potential of software. However this lack of natural constraints means that software can easily become extremely complex and hence very difficult to understand.