3.7 - Software Engineering

• Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) are a suite of tools that make the development of systems easier and more efficient
• IDE tools are designed to help developers complete repetitive or common tasks
• • Error Diagnostics: Produces error messages when a program fails to compile
  • Code Auto Completion: Suggests code based on inputs
  • Syntax Checker: Highlights code that does not comply with the programming language syntax
• Computer Aided Software Engineering (CASE) tools assist in the design, development, and testing of software
• Common functions of CASE tools:

  • Providing data dictionaries
  • Code generation
  • Version control
  • Prototyping
  • Analysis and planning tools
• Analysis and Planning Tools:

  • Help produce design diagrams
  • Example: Draw.IO for creating diagrams easily
  • Record evidence gathered from fact-finding
  • Collaborative working for multiple people to enter information coordinated by a lead manager
  • Project planning tools for GANTT charts and scheduling
• Testing Tools:

  • Automated testing tools for testing the current build based on pre-designed tests
  • Bug tracking tools for flagging bugs and compiling reports
  • Test planning tools for creating manual test plans
• Version Management:

  • Allows collaboration with version control
  • Focus on creating stable builds for uploads
  • Keeps logs of changes made for rollback if needed
  • Files are 'checked in' and 'checked out' to track changes and prevent conflicts
• Editor

  Allows a developer to add, remove and edit code
• Compiler

  Converts a high level language into machine code. Once compiled, the code can be run at any time
• Interpreter

  Converts a high level language into machine code line by line each time a program is run.
• Linker

  Allows compiled code from software libraries to be linked together
• Loader

  A program which loads previously compiled code into memory
• GUI Creation

  Allows dragging and dropping of GUI elements so, elements do not need to be created through code
• Debugger

  Helps to locate, identify and resolve issues in code
• Trace

  Displays the order in which the lines of code are executed
• Breakpoint

  Interrupts code at a set point, allowing a programmer to inspect variables during runtime
• Single Stepping

  Executes code line by line, allowing variables to be inspected
• Variable Watch

  Displays the current value of a selected variable
• Memory Inspector

  Displays the contents of a section of memory
• Error Diagnostics

  Used when a program fails to compile, displaying an error message to help the developer identify why the program failed to compile
• Code Auto Completion

  Suggests code based on the inputs made
• Syntax Checker

  Highlights/underlines code that does not comply with the program's syntax rules