Is Software Engineering Really Engineering?
R.J. Offen · 2005
It is argued that many of the problems that beset software engineering are in fact problems with modelling. For example: both reuse and codification require shared and understandable models if they are ever to be effcctivelv utilised. Codification is a vital ingredient of any engineering culture and a lack of suitable, widely understood, tool-based modelling frameworks mitigates strongly against effective codification and the effective use of already codified experience. Effectively capturing context is a crucial issue in a world of abstract artefacts, especially in areas such as estimation and process improvement. The author provides a a personal view of some of what still needs to be undertaken Fundamentally, there is a need to provide appropriate science and technology for speeding up the craft to engineering transition. In addition, a proper understanding of the role of models and modelling in software engineering is crucial. Two further related and important areas of research are the use of quantitative data [software measures] for the building of more powerful predictive models and empirical sofware engineering studies.