Software Engineering Fundamentals
Lecture Notes
Prepared for students and professionals seeking to understand the foundations of software
engineering.
1. Introduction to Software Engineering
Software engineering is the disciplined application of engineering principles to the design,
development, testing, and maintenance of software. Unlike ad-hoc programming, software
engineering emphasizes structured processes, scalability, and reliability.
2. Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
The SDLC is a framework defining tasks performed at each step in the software development
process. Common models include:
- Waterfall Model: Linear and sequential, suitable for projects with well-defined requirements. - Agile
Model: Iterative and incremental, focuses on customer collaboration and adaptability. - DevOps:
Combines development and operations, emphasizes automation and continuous delivery.
Diagram: SDLC Phases
[Diagram Description: A circular diagram showing phases – Requirements → Design →
Development → Testing → Deployment → Maintenance]
3. Software Architecture
Software architecture defines the structure of a system, including its components, their interactions,
and design principles. Examples of common architectures include:
- Monolithic Architecture: Single unified codebase, simple but less scalable. - Microservices
Architecture: Small, independent services communicating over APIs, highly scalable. -
Client-Server Model: Separates client interface from server backend.
4. Testing Methodologies
Testing ensures that software functions correctly and meets requirements. Key types include:
- Unit Testing: Testing individual components. - Integration Testing: Ensuring modules work
together. - System Testing: Verifying the complete integrated system. - User Acceptance Testing
(UAT): Validating software with end users.
5. Version Control and CI/CD
Version control systems like Git allow teams to track changes and collaborate effectively. CI/CD
(Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery) pipelines automate building, testing, and
deploying software, enabling faster and more reliable releases.
6. Best Practices in Software Engineering
- Write clean, maintainable code - Follow coding standards - Document thoroughly - Conduct code
reviews - Prioritize security from the start
7. Review Questions
1. Explain the main differences between the Waterfall and Agile models. 2. What are the
advantages of microservices architecture over monolithic architecture? 3. Describe the role of unit
testing in the development process. 4. How does CI/CD improve the software delivery pipeline? 5.
Why is version control critical in collaborative software development?
