Software development Chapter 1 – What is software development? Contents • • • • • • ❶❷ What is software? What is software development? How is software developed? Software development as an industry. Assignments Questions and answers What is software? • Digital entities consisting of small simple commands that can be run on a computer (or similar device) • Software applications process the user's input and produce and display output • Typically only available in digital (electronic) formats Examples of software applications • On computer – Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Photoshop – Web browser • On phone – Apps, such as: • Map applications, timetables, messaging, games, etc. • Online – Google, Facebook, Twitter What is software development? • Work done to produce software and applications • Projects need at least developes, designers, and testers • Software development happens on computers using specialized programs and applications • This results in programming code (code for short) Software development as an industry • Software development is a part of the IT industry, its worth is significant • Typically even a small software project is worth 50,000-100,000€ • Experts from many different fields are needed – Developers and testers – Graphic designers, interface designers – Salesmen, marketers, support stadd, trainers… Assingments • Reflect on whether software can have a physical state. • Come up with at least three examples of devices that run software. Computers and phones do not count. • Find out what tools are needed for software development. Are pen and paper needed at all? • What different job descriptions can software development include? Questions and answers 1 Why is software needed? • Software has a significant role in the modern world, as nearly all electronic devices contain software • Similarly many things are controlled through software: cash flows, public transportation timetables, satellites, television programming, etc. • The list is is long. The existence of software has a notable effect on how we live and experience life. In the future, the role of software will become even more pronounced. Questions and answers 2 How much software development is done in Finland? • In Finland, as in many other western countries, software development and related fields are significant employers. • Actual software development employs approximately 20,000 people in Finland. Related field employ directly or indirectly hundreds of thousands of people. • Originally software development was born in England and the USA. Questions and answers 3 How can I start developing software? • Software can be developed on many tools and platforms. Typically starting it doesn't cost a cent. Needed tools can be downloaded for free from software development communities' websites. • Professional development tools are usually commercial, but even they usually have free licenses for short-term testing.