This course examines in detail the software development process. Topics include software life-cycle models; architectural and design approaches; various techniques for systematic software testing; coding and documentation strategies; project management; customer relations; the social, ethical, and legal aspects of computing; and the impact of economic, environmental, safety, manufacturability, and sustainability factors on design. Students in this course participate in a real-world study project from conception to implementation.
Using a semester-long team-project, the class provides first-hand experience of how agile methodologies are used in software development. While misunderstandings and even mistakes are expected, the intent is that students appreciate the idea of failing fast in a safe environment and therefore have lower risks of repeating the same mistakes later in their future careers.