Software Engineering Approach

[Vishal Lamba]

Hi all,

Can anyone suggest a good book on Software Engineering?

I completed my degree just a few months back and completely ignored this subject all through my degree. Moreover, the company I am working in is a small firm and there is no methodical approach for a project here either.

But I want to learn the basics of SE, and relate it to practical projects. A realistic meaning of Prouct, systems, project and the full understanding of Life Cycle.

I have Roger S. Pressman's SE book, but I was not able to relate all the concepts described in it to the real world.

So, I am looking for any other suggestions regarding this. Any ebbok, book or being more general - How to understand all these concepts?

Thanks

VISHAL

[Himanshu Bisht]

Software Engineering: A Practitioner's Approach

by: Roger Pressman


here

is a good book.Detailed and easy to understand

[Ryan McGuire]

"Object-Oriented Software Engineering: A Use Case Driven Approach" by I. Jacobson

Here's the Amazon link. It may be tough to follow if you're not already used to thinking in OO terms. Some may contend that it imposes way too much rigidity. That may be true. IMHO, if you "get" what's in this book, you should be able to tailor the process to your specific environment.

"The Pragmatic Programmer: From Journeyman to Master" by Andrew Hunt, David Thomas

Here's the Amazon link. It contains many tips/suggestion/tactics that are applicable to any overall SE process. I wish I had read this book a decade ago.

"Agile Modeling: Effective Practices for Extreme Programming and the Unified Process" by Scott W. Ambler

Here's the Amazon link. But I wouldn't really call this a good only book for creating a devlopment process from the ground up. The way I read it, it provided many excellent suggestions for modifications to your existing process. Read some of it in your friendly neighborhood bookstore first to see if it would be helpful in your particular situation. Maybe it will help immediately; maybe you pick and choose only a few things out of it to start with.

Also, Mr. Ambler is frequently seen here in the saloon. I don't recall seeing too many Meaningless Drivel contributions from him, but you could probably get his attention by posting to the OO, Patterns, UML and Refactoring forum. In fact this question might be more appropriate there rather than here in MD. (Maybe this thread should be moved by some passing admin?)
[ May 01, 2006: Message edited by: Ryan McGuire ]

[Peer Reynders]

Originally posted by Ryan McGuire:
Also, Mr. Ambler is frequently seen here in the saloon. I don't recall seeing too many Meaningless Drivel contributions from him, but you could probably get his attention by posting to the OO, Patterns, UML and Refactoring forum. In fact this question might be more appropriate there rather than here in MD. (Maybe this thread should be moved by some passing admin?)

I'd guess, he'd probably preferred that you peruse his various web pages first:
http://www.ambysoft.com/
http://www.agilemodeling.com/
http://www.agiledata.org/
http://www.ambysoft.com/unifiedprocess/agileUP.html
http://www.enterpriseunifiedprocess.com/

Agile Modeling: Effective Practices for Extreme Programming and the Unified Process

Then again it's way to easy to "stalk" people around here by using the "View Recent Post" Link in the "Profile".
https://coderanch.com/forums/posts/listByUser/00062905

[Vishal Lamba]

Thanx a lot for the suggestions.

I went through the extracts of THE PRAGMATIC PROGRAMMER, and AGILE .

THE PRAGMATIC PROGRAMMER, seems to be a real good book. Though I am not sure if I can get it in the book stores here in India(that way it will be more economical ), I have already started searching for it.

And AGILE, that appeared to belong to a bit more advanced level, and I think I am not ready for it as yet .

However, I need some more suggestions for a VERY BASIC book on Software Engineering. Except Roger S. Pressman, as I already have that.

Thanks once again.

VISHAL
(I want to start this topic in the forum advised by Mr. McGuire also, but I am sure cross posting is not allowed here.)

[Peer Reynders]

Originally posted by Vishal Lamba:
relate it to practical projects. A realistic meaning of Product, systems, project and the full understanding of Life Cycle.

Definitely stick to Pragmatic Programmer. But I'm starting to get the impression that you aren't looking for an "SE Text".

How does this one look: Code Complete 2e
Code Complete, Second Edition Web Site
Steve McConnell's Articles

Also check out the
Joel On Software Archive
You won't be picking up any Java/J2EE tips there but there are some great musings about the software business in general.
Some of my favorites:
The Joel Test: 12 Steps to Better Code
Painless Functional Specifications - Part 1: Why Bother?
Painless Functional Specifications - Part 2: What's a Spec?
Painless Functional Specifications - Part 3: But... How?
Painless Functional Specifications - Part 4: Tips
Painless Software Schedules
Human Task Switches Considered Harmful
The Law of Leaky Abstractions
Getting Things Done When You're Only a Grunt
Big Macs vs. The Naked Chef
Biculturalism
Fire And Motion
The Guerrilla Guide to Interviewing
Headline: Sun Develops Java; New "Bytecode" System Means Write Once, Run Anywhere.
[ May 02, 2006: Message edited by: Peer Reynders ]

[Stan James]

And be aware we have two fora here for this kind of stuff. OO, UML, etc talks about improving design and coding. Process, RUP, etc. talks about project life cycles and methods.