Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
In this latter case, you may not have a choice concerning software
upgrades, and you will need to hope that the new versions work
properly with the other software on your machine.
The software development process typically begins with a gen
eral idea or vision related to a problem. Subsequent work involves
writing specifications, developing algorithms, coding those algo
rithms, testing programs, and correcting errors (debugging).
Various development methodologies organize these phases of devel
opment in different ways.
Developers identify users' needs in many ways, including mar
ket analysis, surveys, anticipation of future needs, and prototypes.
Often, developers hope to address the needs of multiple constituen
cies, and specific features may or may not be helpful to all individ
ual users.
After programs are written, a maintenance phase involves cor
recting errors, adding or modifying features, and adapting to new
business conditions. Even if software works well, new or different
capabilities may be required as users gain experience with the prod
uct and as business or legal circumstances change.
Although the term
programmer
sometimes is used narrowly to
mean the writer of computer programs from known algorithms, at
other times, programmer often refers to an individual engaged in a
wide range of activities from writing specifications through algorithm
and program development to testing and maintenance. Today, pro
grammers usually interact with colleagues and clients; they rarely
work in isolation. Communication skills and the ability to work in
groups are just as important as technical skills for programmers.
Much software is complex and requires many components to in
teract in specific ways. Testing can uncover many errors in software,
but tests may not reveal subtle problems that might arise in special
circumstances. When software is particularly large and complex, the
correction of some errors may introduce new ones, and it is not al
ways clear when specific errors should be corrected. Often, you are
well advised not to upgrade software on your computer, because
