What is Software Engineering?…

Systematic development and evolution

An engineering process involves applying well understood techniques in a organized and disciplined way
Many well-accepted practices have been formally standardized
- e.g. by the IEEE or ISO
Most development work is evolution

Software engineering techniques are needed because large systems cannot be completely understood by one person
Teamwork and co-ordination are required
Key challenge: Dividing up the work and ensuring that the parts of the system work properly together
The end-product that is produced must be of sufficient quality