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A software product has multiple users, multiple developers and maintainers. In most cases, the developers, users, and maintainers may all be different individuals or group of individuals. In order to develop a software product, the user’s needs and requirements must be found out, the product must be designed to accommodate implementers, users, and maintainers; the source code must be carefully implemented and well tested; and documents of support such as operation techniques, the user’s manual, installation instructions, training aids, and maintenance documents must be provided.

Since 1968, the applications of digital computers, electronics and engineering have become increasingly diverse, complex, and critical to modern society. As a result, software engineering has evolved into a technological discipline of great importance. The IEEE Standard Glossary of Software Engineering Terminology defined software engineering as, “The systematic approach to the development, operation, maintenance, and withdrawal of software”. Software is defined as, “computer programs, procedurals, rules and possibly associated documents and data concerning with the operation of a computer system”.

Software engineering is the application or implementation of a well organized, disciplined, measurable approach to the production or development, operation, and maintenance of software. It is also the study of these approaches; that is, the application of engineering to software using a computer system. It is also a technological and managerial discipline which concerns with production and maintenance of software products, in a systematic manner, developed and modified on time keeping in mind the cost associated with it.

Software engineering aims to provide quality software products; increase the productivity and give software engineers job satisfaction. This new technological development is based on the foundations of computer science, management science, economics, communication skills and problem-solving approach. Software engineering is a labor-intensive activity hence requires both technical skill and managerial skill. Good overall, written and interpersonal communication skills are important for a software engineer.

Thus, software engineering is concerned with the development and maintenance of technological products. Also to be noted is that problem-solving techniques common to all engineering disciplines are used. Various concepts from computer science, management science, economics and communication skills are combined along with problem-solving approach, which results in software engineering. Software engineering is concerned with managerial issues that are beyond just traditional programming methods. Additionally, it is concerned with the issues such as analysis of data & information, design of software, verification and testing, documentation, software maintenance and project management. It can therefore be said that, Software engineering is concerned with systematic development and maintenance of documentation as well as the source code.