Programming Mobile Devices: An Introduction for Practitioners

Foreword by Jan Bosch

In 1968, a NATO-organized conference was held during which several terms central to our field were introduced, including software component, software architecture and software engineering. This conference can be viewed as a milestone in turning the programming of software systems from a craft to a true engineering discipline. Although we have not yet reached a level of proficiency that is on par with the older engineering disciplines, enormous progress has been made in the last four decades, allowing us to build software systems, even complete ecosystems, that go far beyond the dreams of the first software engineers. This book marks a similar milestone where the construction of mobile systems is moving from a craft to an engineering discipline.

A key characteristic of any engineering discipline is that its professionals have the ability to build and evolve systems that a layman would either not be capable of or can only construct at a productivity level that is one or several orders of magnitude lower. The software engineering professional combines a deep insight into the fundamental principles underlying the discipline, such as modularity, composability, architecture, quality and user experience, as well as a detailed knowledge of the strengths and limitations of the mechanical and hardware systems for which the software is developed and the tools used to develop software.

Since a few months ago, my oldest son, age 9, is the proud owner of a Series 60 Nokia ...