Topic outline

  • In this module, Software engineering as a topic is motivated and introduced. 

    There are three readings, one podcast, one module quiz, and a peer-graded essay assignment. The essays, as well as peer grades, will be checked by course personnel, who also have the final say in the grading.

    You can get up to 10 points for completing this module.

    • Page icon

      The lecture video for module 2.

    • Not available unless: You are a(n) Student
      File icon
      Reading 2: Why Software Fails File

      An often cited nice overview of software project failures

      R. N. Charette. 2005. Why software fails [software failure]. IEEE Spectrum 42, 9 (September 2005), 42–49. https://doi.org/10.1109/MSPEC.2005.1502528

    • Not available unless: You are a(n) Student
      File icon
      Reading 3: No Silver Bullet File

      Fred Brooks' famous article on the inherent problems of software development. 

      Brooks, F. P. J. (1987) ‘No Silver Bullet Essence and Accidents of Software Engineering’, Computer 20(4), pp. 10–19. doi: 10.1109/MC.1987.1663532.

    • Quiz icon
      Module 2 Quiz

      This is the quiz for module 2.

      Do not take this quiz until you have studied the readings AND listened to the lecture and podcast

      The quiz is timed, and you have 30 minutes to do it. 

      You are allowed two attempts. You will get the grade of your best attempt. You will be shown the correct answers to the questions only after the quiz is closed. 

    • Workshop icon
      Essay: Software engineering challenges, SWEBOK, and your learning goals Workshop

      Your first essay assignment on software engineering failures, the SWEBOK and your learning goals