Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
The outcomes of the “patent wars” that are sweeping through the computer, cell
phone, and software worlds are unknown. Amazon and Samsung are currently su-
ing each other, and in fact almost every large high-technology company has one or
more patent lawsuits in play.
There is also a new subindustry of “patent trolls” that acquire patents not so
much for their intellectual worth but rather to use to sue or threaten to sue dozens
of companies for patent violations.
The whole topic of software patents and patentability is fluid, and eventual Su-
preme Court decisions may change software patents in unknown ways.
Another critical prediction is that software security threats and government-
sponsored “cyberwarfare” will continue to expand in frequency and seriousness of
threats. Financial institutions, personal identities, and electric power grids are the
most likely targets. Denial of service attacks are likely to increase also. Transport-
ation is also at risk because hacking air-traffic control systems is probably not as
difficult as it should be.
Interesting new hardware devices that operate by means of software are leading
to some exciting future possibilities. Among the most interesting of these new
devices is
3D printing
, which allows consumers to create plastic items; wearable
computers such as Google Glass; and some potential new medical devices such as
ocular implants, which could restore sight to the blind, similar in concept to coch-
lear implants that restore hearing to the deaf.
Of these new inventions, 3D printing technology is already in use for both in-
dustrial and medical purposes. For example, 3D printing can now be used to create
a perfect replica of a tooth that can be implanted by a dentist to replace a missing
tooth. Wearable computers in the form of glasses also exist, but these are not yet
on the commercial market. Ocular implants are still in the experimental stage.
Professional Status for Software Engineering
Even after more than 60 years, software engineering is not yet a certified profes-
sion with licenses, board specialties, and malpractice monitoring, as occurs with
the fields of medicine and law. While there have been some improvements in pro-
gramming languages, requirements, design, and development methods, there is
still a need for much more progress.
A number of state governments are beginning to cooperate and offer license
examinations for software engineering. This is just beginning as the topic enters
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