Software Engineering and Metrics

Software engineering approaches its midlife with many accomplishments, but with significant work yet to do. It is recognized as a legitimate discipline, one worthy of serious research, conscientious study, and tumultuous debate. Software process models, software engineering methods, and software tools have been adopted successfully across a broad spectrum of industry applications.

Many individuals and companies still develop software haphazardly. Many professionals and students are unaware of modern methods. As a result, the quality of the software produced suffers. The status of software engineering is a study in contrasts. Attitudes have changed, progress has made made, but much remains to be done before the discipline reaches full maturity.