Software engineering (SE) is the application of a
systematic, disciplined, quantifiable approach to the design,
development, operation, and maintenance of software, and the study of these approaches; that is, the application of engineering to software. In layman's terms, it is the act of using insights to conceive, model
and scale a solution to a problem. The first reference to the term is
the 1968 NATO Software Engineering Conference and was meant to provoke
thought regarding the perceived "software crisis" at the time. Software development,
a much used and more generic term, does not necessarily subsume the
engineering paradigm. The generally accepted concepts of Software
Engineering as an engineering discipline have been specified in the
Guide to the Software Engineering Body of Knowledge (SWEBOK). The SWEBOK has become an internationally accepted standard ISO/IEC TR 19759:2005.
For those who wish to become recognized as professional software engineers, the IEEE offers two certifications (Certified Software Development Associate and Certified Software Development Professional). The IEEE certifications do not use the term Engineer in their title for compatibility reasons. In some parts of the US such as Texas, the use of the term Engineer is regulated only to those who have a Professional Engineer license. Further, in the United States starting from 2013, the NCEES Professional Engineer exam will be available for Software Engineering.
Categories of Software
Software is often divided into two categories. Systems software includes the operating system and all the utilities that enable the computer to function. Applications software includes programs that do real work for users. For example, word processors, spreadsheets, and database management systems fall under the category of applications software.
Top 5 Software Related Questions
application (application software)
An application is a program, or group of programs, that is designed for the end user. Application software can be divided into two general classes: systems software and applications software. Applications software (also called end-user programs) include such things as database programs, word processors, Web browsers and spreadsheets.
Figuratively speaking, applications software sits on top of systems software because it is unable to run without the operating system and system utilities.
Recommended Reading: Webopedia's enterprise application definition.
In contrast, Systems software consists of low-level programs that interact with the computer at a very basic level. This includes operating systems, compilers, and utilities for managing computer resources.
Also see a diagram of n-tier application architecture in the quick reference section of Webopedia.
systems software
Refers to the operating system and all utility programs that manage computer resources at a low level. Software is generally divided into systems software and applications software. Applications software comprises programs designed for an end user, such as word processors, database systems, and spreadsheet programs. Systems software includes compilers, loaders, linkers, and debuggers.
software package
1) A special method of distributing and installing software (or software upgrades) to a computer. For example, on a Macintosh computer, a package usually means "software." It's specifically a directory, presented as a single file, that contains all the information the Mac OS X Installer application needs to install your software. That includes the software itself, as well as files that are used only during the installation process. In a Windows environment it is sometimes called an installation package or update package.
(2) Multiple software programs that work together (or performs similar functions) and is bundled and sold together as a software package.
enterprise application
An enterprise application
is the term used to describe applications -- or software -- that a
business would use to assist the organization in solving enterprise
problems. When the word "enterprise" is combined with "application," it usually refers to a software platform that is too large and too complex for individual or small business use.
Enterprise applications are typically designed to interface or
integrate with other enterprise applications used within the
organization, and to be deployed across a variety of networks (Internet, Intranet and corporate networks) while meeting strict requirements for security and administration management.
Proprietary
enterprise applications are usually designed and deployed in-house by a
specialized IT development team within the organization. However, an
enterprise may outsource some or all of the development of the application, and bring it back in-house for deployment.
Today, using enterprise application service providers (ASP)
is more prevalent. Here, the enterprise application is designed by a
third-party application service provider and leased to the enterprise,
as an on-premise or hosted service. This is also often referred to software-as-a-service (SaaS) or Web-based applications.
Another trend in enterprise applications is the move to cloud computing,
where the enterprise moves some or its entire infrastructure to the
cloud -- a type of Internet-based computing, where services are
delivered to an organization's computers and devices through the
Internet as an on-demand service. Some enterprises may also choose a
hybrid solution where cloud applications are integrated with on-premise
systems.
Some of the more common types of enterprise applications include the following:
Other common names for enterprise application include enterprise app, enterprise software and enterprise application software (EAS).
Learn more about enterprise applications, including CRM, ERP, and call center solutions, on ECRM Guide.
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