Software Engineering Handbook [Hardcover]

Jessica Keyes (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0849314798 | ISBN-13: 978-0849314797 | Publication Date: December 23, 2002 | Edition: 1

Unfortunately, much of what has been written about software engineering comes from an academic perspective which does not always address the everyday concerns that software developers and managers face. With decreasing software budgets and increasing demands from users and senior management, technology directors need a complete guide to the subject of software engineering. The successor to the bestselling Software Engineering Productivity Handbook, this book fulfills that need.

Written by an expert with over 25 years of practical experience in building systems, The Software Engineering Handbook covers the full spectrum of software engineering methodologies, techniques, and tools and provides details on how to reach the goals of quality management in a software-engineering environment. It includes a wide variety of information, from the guidelines for the Malcom Baldridge Quality Award to the IEEE measures for reliable software. 65 field-tested how-to chapters provide techniques, guidelines, and philosophies that will assist developers in implementing quality and productivity programs.

The author provides readers with a wealth of information and advice in a multitude of areas including management of resources, methods, quality, and metrics. The book concludes with 19 appendices filled with guides, templates, forms, and examples that illustrate important software engineering techniques such as: software requirement specification, software design specification, and a complete test plan including use of automated estimation tools.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The Software Engineering Handbook is written for software developers; unlike many other texts, it is written to be used in developers' everyday work. Care has been taken to reference outside sources consulted for the text, easily leading readers to more detailed information when needed. This book is recommended for libraries that serve IT professionals or training programs.
Elaine Fetyko Page, E-Streams

Product Details

• Hardcover: 896 pages
• Publisher: Auerbach Publications; 1 edition (December 23, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0849314798
• ISBN-13: 978-0849314797
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.5 x 2.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,171,450 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Encyclopedia of software engineering techniques, January 24, 2003

By 

Rebecca Lakser (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Software Engineering Handbook (Hardcover)

I was looking for a practical, easy-to-read book that explained the nuts and bolts of developing large systems. Most books on the market are too much into theory and too little into practicality. I found this book and couldn't be more pleased. On top of readable chapters on all facets of analysis and design there is a large section on quality and productivity. On top of that, the appendices contain 19 or so samples of filled in templates such as a sample text plan, a design spec and a requirements spec. It's pricey but worth every penny.

5.0 out of 5 stars Section Two is reason to buy this book, March 16, 2004

By 

Mike Tarrani "www.tarrani.com" (Deltona, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Software Engineering Handbook (Hardcover)

This book is divided into two sections, the first covering basis software engineering topics ranging from discovery and inception tasks, such as performing a cost benefit analysis and requirements management, to managing software maintenance. This section covers the basics, but has no material that would distinguish it from other books on software engineering. The second section, however, is a rich compendium of methods, frameworks and techniques with an emphasis on metrics. This section alone makes this book an invaluable resource for any software engineer.

In Section Two the coverage of mainstream topics such as COCOMO II, McCabe's Cyclomatic Complexity Metric, and Putnam's work is complete and expected. However, this book also includes not frequently seen descriptions of topics and approaches, such as Bellcore's Software Quality Metrics, Hewlett Packard's TQC (Total Quality Control) Guidelines for Software Engineering Productivity, and Sprague's Technique for Software Configuration Management in a Measurement-Based Software Engineering Program. These are but a sampling of the material in this section that provides a virtual encyclopedia of techniques and methods.

The appendices are also valuable resources, providing example artifacts ranging from a system service request form to a function point counting guide. Ironically, function points were not covered in any detail as a standalone topic in the main body of the book. Also included in the appendices are forms and templates.

Overall this is one of the most useful books for the practicing software engineer. The range of topics covered is wide, and there are sure to be techniques that you'll discover for the first time in this book regardless of your experience level.