Capability Maturity Models, Maturity Levels & their Key Process Areas

The process models are based on various software development phases whereas the capability models have an entirely different basis of development. They are based upon the capabilities of software. It was developed by Software Engineering Institute (SEI). In this model, significant emphasis is given to the techniques to improve the “software quality” and “process maturity”. In this model a strategy for improving Software process is devised. It is...

Read More

Spiral Model - Software Development Models

This model can be considered as the model, which combines the strengths of various other models. Conventional software development processes do not take uncertainties into account. Important software projects have failed because of unforeseen risks. The other models view the software process as a linear activity whereas this model considers it as a spiral process. This is made by representing the iterative development cycle as an expanding spiral. The...

Read More

Prototyping Model - Software Development Models

In Prototyping Model, a working model of actual software is developed initially. The prototype is just like sample software having lesser functional capabilities and low reliability and it does not undergo through the rigorous testing phase. Developing a working prototype in the first phase overcomes the disadvantage of the waterfall model where the reporting about serious errors is possible only after completion of software development. The working...

Read More

Iterative Enhancement Model - Software Development Models

Iterative Enhancement Model was developed to remove the shortcomings of waterfall model. In this model, the phases of software development remain the same, but the construction and delivery is done in the iterative mode. In the first iteration, a less capable product is developed and delivered for use. This product satisfies only a subset of the requirements. In the next iteration, a product with incremental features is developed. Every iteration...

Read More

Waterfall Model - Software Development Model

It is the simplest, oldest and most widely used process model. In this model, each phase of the life cycle is completed before the start of a new phase. It is actually the first engineering approach of software development. Figure 1 depicts Water Fall Model. Figure 1 : Waterfall model The functions of various phases are discussed in software process technology. The waterfall model provides a systematic and sequential approach to software development...

Read More

Importance of Software Engineering

As the application domains of software are becoming complicated and design of big software without a systematic approach is virtually impossible, the field of software engineering is increasingly gaining importance. It is now developing like an industry. Thus, the industry has to answer following or similar queries of clients: What is the best approach to design of software? Why the cost of software is too high? Why can’t we find all errors? Why is there always some gap between claimed performance and actual performance? To answer...

Read More

Difference between Software and Other Engineering Products

Software Engineering deals with the development of software. Hence, understanding the basic characteristics of software is essential. Software is different from other engineering products in the following ways: Engineering products once developed cannot be changed. To modifications the product, redesigning and remanufacturing is required. In the case of software, ultimately changes are to be done in code for any changes to take effect. The Other Engineering products are visible but the software as such is not visible. That’s why, it is said...

Read More

Evolution of Software Engineering

Any application on computer runs through software. As computer technologies have changed tremendously in the last five decades, accordingly, the software development has undergone significant changes in the last few decades of 20th century. In the early years, the software size used to be small and those were developed either by a single programmer or by a small programming team. The program development was dependent on the programmer’s skills and no strategic software practices were present. In the early 1980s, the size of software and the application...

Read More

Introduction to Software Engineering

The field of software engineering is related to the development of software. Large software needs systematic development unlike simple programs which can be developed in isolation and there may not be any systematic approach being followed. In the last few decades, the computer industry has undergone revolutionary changes in hardware. That is, processor technology, memory technology, and integration of devices have changed very rapidly. As the software is required to maintain compatibility with hardware, the complexity of software also has changed...

Read More