The Software Development Process

To create software that performs according to the original requirements as well as to external and internal regulations, we need to keep certain processes in mind. Let us have a look at a generally accepted procedure for creating new software. 

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These abstraction layers offer tremendous benefits to the software development process with reduced development complexity and costs and increased productivity. Application server platforms and blueprints also provide software development frameworks to help the software fit into specific architecture patterns. One of the most commonly adopted software architecture patterns for enterprise systems is the layered architecture (Buschmann et al., 1996 Fowler, 2003a). It is also the heart of the J2EE blueprint (Alur et al., 2003). 

In a mature software development environment, software is developed as individual components or small units. Each unit is tested individually and integrated with other units to form a module. The accurate implementation of each module is achieved by following the technical design specification deliverable. The output of the software development process is an assembled system. 

The FDA will consider the lack of computer validation as a significant inspection finding and log it as a 483 noncompliance citation. The MHRA may take a more lenient view depending on the criticality of the system on GxP operations. The lack of a detailed written description of an individual computer system (kept up to date with controls over changes), its functions, security and interactions (EU GMP Annex 11.4) a lack of evidence for the quality assurance of the software-developed process (EU GMP Annex 11.5), coupled with a lack of adequate validation evidence to support the use of GxP-related computer systems may very well be either a critical or major deficiency. Ranking will depend on the inspector s risk assessment. 

Prototyping FDA (1995) An approach to accelerate the software development process by facilitating the identification of required functionality during analysis and design phases. A limitation of this technique is the identification of system and software problems and hazards. [Adapted.]... 

The term software architecture is defined as a description of the structure of the components of a program/system (and) their interrelationships [331, 686[. This description serves different purposes, e.g. for analyzing certain software qualities, such as adaptability, maintainability, or portability, or managing the software development process [536]. 

The role of the subproject 13 of IMPROVE, as described in Sect. 5.7, was to coordinate the software development process of the integrated engineering design environment (cf. Fig. 5.55 on p. 558). Especially, it dealt with the development of a general framework for a-posteriori integration of existing tools. 

Standardized directory structures for source code, documentation hies, hnal executables, conhguration hies, and model inputs/outputs allow tracking the software development process and also help in easily integrating multiple, independently developed modules. Standardized directory structures allow easy detection of con-hicts in the names of functions, scripts, or conhguration hies. 

The V-model was developed in 1992 to regulate the software development process within the German federal administration. It was extended in 1997, called the V-model 97, and the most current version, V-model XT, was finalized in Eebruary 2005 [5],... 

With this information about the software development process, we will now look at some general concepts of data and knowledge management. 

In this context, multiple methods for supporting the software development process have been developed. They differ according to their focus on the various software development processes and their preferred approach regarding the issue at hand, such as data, event, or function orientation, respectively. 

V V activities compliant with the requirements of the lEC Std. 880 and NRC RG 1.152 shall be performed during the software development process as well as during the consecutive life-eyele phases... 

The requirement for a configuration management regime that will ensure that the products of the software development process are kept in step, so that... 

As main conclusion we establish the requirement for a smart identification and testing of open source software components before integrating them during the software development process, in order to produce reliable software. Also, we conclude with the reqitire-ment for a revised definition of the software reUabiUty in order to cover software security aspects. 

Savic, R. 2008. Assessment of software reliability and the efficiency of corrective actions during the software development process. In S. Martorell, C. Guedes Soares X Barnett (eds), Safety, Reliability and Risk Analysis Theory Methods and Applications ESREL2008 vol. 2 1513-1518. 

Technical issues are an important factor during the software development process because software complexity and maintenance-related concerns determine the analysis technique and the incorporation process to be employed. 

Initial The software development process is characterized as ad hoc few processes are defined and project outcomes are hard to predict. 

The application type (A) is a basic characteristic of a software it determines how a software is developed and run. Categories of applications considered by the Air Force were airborne systems, strategic systems, tactical systems, process control systems, production systems (such as decision aids), and developmental systems (such as software development took). An initial value for the refiabUity of the software to be developed is based only on the application type. This initial value is then modified when other factors characterizing the software development process and the product become available. 

The software development process is environment dependent. Thus, even assumptions that would seem reasonable during the testing of one function or product may not hold true in subsequent testing. The ultimate decision about the appropriateness of the assumptions and the applicability of a model have to be made by the user. 

The last question is to determine if we could use such data for reliability prediction. Early in the process, for example, at the requirements definition and analysis phase, our knowledge of the attributes and characteristics of the software development process is limited coding personnel and coding languages are undetermined, the design approach may not be defined, etc. Hence, our reliabihty assessment will be uncertain. The more we move into the life cycle process, the more information becomes available, and hence our uncertainty bound reduces. Let us call M the model of the process, that is, the set of characteristics that define the process. The characteristics of such model may include... 

Our uncertainty is in M. Let p(Al) be the probabihty that the model followed is M. This probability is a function of the time into the life cycle, p M,t). A reasonable approximation of p M,t) is p(M,k) where k is the fcth life cycle phase. Let , be the rehability of the software at the end of the software development process if it was developed under model M,. Initially, at the end of the requirements definition and analysis phase (fc = 1), the expected reliability ( ) is... 

In Fig. Vlll/2.0.3-2 the V model approach for system software as per lEC 61508 is shown to focus on the software development process in safety applications. The international standard makes the generic approach for all safety life cycle activities for... 

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