Professional C++

Chapter 6. Maximizing Software-Engineering Methods

When you first learned how to program, you were probably on your own schedule. You were free to do everything at the last minute if you wanted to, and you could radically change your design during implementation. When coding in the professional world, however, programmers rarely have such flexibility. Even the most liberal engineering managers admit that some amount of process is necessary. Knowing the software-engineering process is as important these days as knowing how to code.

This chapter surveys various approaches to software engineering. It does not go into great depth on any one approach — there are plenty of excellent books on software-engineering processes. The idea is to cover the different types of processes in broad strokes so you can compare and contrast them. We try not to advocate or discourage any particular methodology. Rather, we hope that by learning about the tradeoffs of several different approaches, you'll be able to construct a process that works for you and the rest of your team.

Whether you're a contractor working alone on projects or your team consists of hundreds of engineers on several continents, understanding the different approaches to software development will help your job on a daily basis.

The Need for Process

The history of software development is filled with tales of failed projects. From over-budget and poorly marketed consumer applications to grandiose mega-hyped operating systems, it seems that ...