Background and Introduction

Overview

Teaching: 30 min
Exercises: 0 min

Questions

• Why should we care about software?

• Why is software engineering important?

• What are the key differences between programming and software engineering?

• Why are the course topics we’ll be learning important for me to know?

Objectives

• Explain the differences between programming and software engineering.

• Understand that building software for research is more than coding.

• Be aware of key factors that often complicate research software development.

• Explain why we are learning the course topics.

• Be aware of the three group project choices that can be undertaken.

See topic slides.

Key Points

• Modern research is impossible without software.

• Key software engineering skills save you time.

• Always assume others will use and develop your software.

• Be clear on requirements and assume they will change.

• Funders are increasingly expecting software outputs to be reusable by others.