Software

• software engineering - Software Engineer
• software development - Software Developer
• programming - Computer Programmer

Fundamental Activities

Software Development Diagram

Best Time to Develop Software

• Free and easy access to tools
• Free and easy access to documentation, examples, etc
• Free and easy ways to post information
• Easy, low overhead, inexpensive ways to distribute and collect payment

Reflected in Career

U.S. News “100 Best Jobs” for 2023 has “Software Developer” ranked at #1 #5, previously (#2 and #1). For software developers, for projected jobs (i.e., the number of expected new U.S. jobs in the next 10 years) the estimate is 370,500 409,500, which is 37% 40% of all projected jobs in the top ten, and 2.65 almost 3 times the number of projected jobs of the next highest. Also, of those that do not require a graduate degree, “Software Developer” is one of 6 5 jobs and the third second highest in median salary.

Reflected in Career

In Northeast Ohio, a recent report by TeamNEO (see Page 8 of the PDF) shows that in 2021, the entry-level demand was 5,902 jobs for Computer and IT Workers, while the credentials awarded were 2,725; 2 potential jobs per graduating student.

Most software that people use is typically …

• ugly and painful to use
• challenging to add new features or get bugs fixed
• not updated frequently enough

Changes in the software environment

• Specific apps for specific purposes
• Multiple types of devices
• Internet of Things

"Software is eating the world"

• A software layer gets introduced into an industry
• Computer hardware iterates faster than mechanical systems or people
• Software iterates faster than computer hardware
• Companies based on a software layer often have reduced costs and can bring features to the unserved
• Older companies are unable to adapt, so they die or become insignificant, e.g., first digital camera

Computing in Companies

• Company provides a software-based service/product
• Company provides a service/product with a (potential) software layer
• Company provides a physical product

Hardware Platforms

• mainframe (server)
• minicomputer (server)
• desktop PC
• laptop PC
• tablet
• smartphone
• smartwatch
• IoT: lights, appliances, locks, etc.

Platform: Mainframe

Historical Platform: Word Processors

Historical Platform: Minicomputers

Historical Platform: Apple IIs

Current Platform Sizes

• World Population: 8 Billion
• U.S. Population: 332 Million
• PC: 4.5 Billion
  • Installed Base: 1.5 Billion
  • Yearly sales: 305 Million
  • Windows 10 & 11: 1.4 Billion
• Active Mobile Phones: 9 Billion
  • Active Smartphones: 7 Billion
• iOS: iPhone, iPad Total: 2.2 Billion
  • Active iPhones: 1.2 Billion
  • Yearly sales: 200 Million
• Xbox: 166 Million
• Apple Watch: 142 Million

Expectations are changing

• Reliability
• Robustness
• Transparency
• New features
• Rate of improvements

Processes needed to…

• Fix bugs quickly and safely
• Introduce new features quickly and safely
• Get users what they need
• Stay current with changes in the software environment

Stakeholders, e.g., People

• Developers
• Developers' management
• Other parts of the company
• Users
• Users' management
• Other parts of the users' company
• Others in the same industry
• Reviewers and the outside world

Single Project Development

Goal: Success

• Improve quality
• Add new features
• Update current features
• Reduce needed development resources
• Reduce time-to-market