Unit III computer software
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Topical Vocabulary
I. Read and memorize.
coin – вводить в обращение
comprise – заключать в себе
data – информация, данные
database management – управление базами данных
debugging – отладка
due to – из-за, вследствие
embedded application – встроенное приложение
execute – выполнять
fault – ошибка
hardware – аппаратное обеспечение
implementation – исполнение
improve – улучшать
inventory – инвентаризация
payroll program – программа расчета зарплаты
peripherals – периферийные устройства
programming tools – средства программирования
process – обрабатывать
regression testing – регрессивное тестирование (от более сложных тестов к менее сложным)
requirement – требование
revalidation – повторная проверка достоверности
reverification – перепроверка
routine – стандартная программа, последовательность инструкций, алгоритм
software – программное обеспечение (ПО)
application software – прикладное ПО
system software – системное ПО
firmware – программно-аппаратное обеспечение
middleware – межплатформенное/связующее/ промежуточное ПО
network software – сетевое ПО
testware – ПО для тестирования
software development – разработка ПО
software engineering – программная инженерия; инженерия разработки ПО
software maintenance – сопровождение ПО
adaptive maintenance – адаптивное сопровождение ПО (с внесением незначительных изменений)
corrective maintenance – корректирующее сопровождение ПО (обнаружение и устранение неисправностей)
perfective maintenance – усовершенствующее сопровождение ПО
specification – уточнение, определение
spreadsheet – электронная таблица; программа табличных расчетов
storage device – устройство памяти
subroutine – подпрограмма
verification – осуществление контроля, проверка подлинности, верификация
word processor – текстовый редактор
II. Which terms from the Topical Vocabulary do these definitions refer to?
1. A portion of code within a larger program that performs a specific task and is relatively independent of the remaining code. 2. A program or application used to create, debug, maintain, or otherwise support other programs and applications. 3. A computer program used to write and revise documents, compose the layout of the text, and preview on a computer monitor how the printed copy will appear. 4. A methodical process of finding and reducing the number of defects in a computer program or a piece of electronic hardware, thus making it behave as expected. 5. Devices attached to a host computer and, thus, expanding the host’s capabilities, but not forming part of the core computer architecture. 6. A device for recording information. 7. Any collection of data, or information, that is specially organized for rapid search and retrieval by a computer.
Reading Section |
Pre-reading discussion.
1. What special subjects deal with studies of computer software and hardware?
2. How does knowledge of computer software and hardware help a user operate a PC?
3. What is computer hardware comprised of?
4. Give examples of programs and/or applications that belong to computer software.
Text A. Software Engineering
Computer software is a collection of programs that provide the instructions telling a computer what and how to do. Software comprises the entire set of programs, procedures, routines, and subroutines associated with the operation of a computer system. The term was coined to differentiate these instructions from hardware – i.e., the physical components of a computer system. A set of instructions that directs a computer’s hardware to perform a task is called a program, or software program.
The two main types of software are system software and application software. System software controls a computer’s internal functioning, chiefly through an operating system, and also controls peripherals and storage devices. Application software, by contrast, directs the computer to execute commands given by the user and may be said to include any program that processes data for a user. Application software thus includes word processors, spreadsheets, database management, inventory and payroll programs, and many other “applications”. Other software categories are (1) network software, that coordinates communication between the computers linked in a network; (2) middleware, that controls and coordinates distributed systems; (3) testware, that is software for testing hardware or a software package; (4) firmware, that is permanently stored in a computer’s memory, treated like hardware ( so called “hard software”) and run by other software programs; (5) programming languages, that define the syntax and semantics of computer programs and (6) programming tools, that help conduct computing tasks (e. g. debugging) in any category listed above.
Perhaps the most important task for software engineering is to define and improve the process by which programs are developed. In general, the overall steps in developing a program can be represented through Waterfall, or Cascade model, which sees software development as a linear process going through the requirements, design, implementation, integration and testing, and maintenance phases. The results of each phase cascade down into the next:
Requirement phase deals with detailed specification of what the program will be required to do. This can include developing a prototype and getting user’s reaction to it. Software design implies creation of suitable program architecture – algorithm(s) and data types, objects, or other structures needed to implement them. Implementation phase means coding – writing the program language statements that implement the structure. Verification and testing of the program using realistic data and field testing is the purpose of the integration and testing phase.
Software maintenance is the process of modifying a software system or component (that is correcting errors and adding requested minor features). There are three classes of software maintenance. Perfective maintenance incorporates changes demanded by the user; these may, for example, be due to changes in requirements or legislation, or be for embedded applications in response to changes in the surrounding system. Adaptive maintenance incorporates changes made necessary by modifications in the software or hardware (operational) environment of the program, including changes in the maintenance environment. Corrective maintenance is the successful repair of faults discovered in the software.
Maintenance for software always involves a change in the software. This may be effected at the coding level, or may require significant changes in design. Regression testing of the software follows maintenance as part of a reverification and revalidation activity. Software maintenance is a prodigious source of new software faults, so good quality control through software engineering is essential.