Three Software Construction Methods
Edward H. Carlson · Computers in Physics · 1989
The construction of applications software can be optimized by varying the Waterfall model for program size and intended use "A method tells you what to do when you don't know what you are doing."-P.J. Plaugern the late 1950's, physicists began to "write" computer programs for use in physics research.The majority of programmer-physicists-those who occasionally program, but not very large systems, and not as their major activity-are largely self taught as programmers, and still do "write programs."But in the 1970's, the commercial software engineering profession developed a second metaphor: one should "construct software."Construction implies the project goes through several orderly phases, all with the assistance of suitable plans, methods, and documents.I find myself standing between two crowds in addressing this topic.