Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!swrinde!cs.utexas.edu!ut-emx!tivoli!alan From: alan@tivoli.UUCP (Alan R. Weiss) Newsgroups: comp.software-eng Subject: Re: Software development in Japanese firm Message-ID: <519@tivoli.UUCP> Date: 28 Mar 91 19:55:38 GMT References: Reply-To: alan@tivoli.UUCP (Alan R. Weiss) Distribution: comp Organization: Tivoli Systems Inc., Austin, TX Lines: 90 In article ryuji@lsa.ncl.omron.co.jp (Ryuji YAMASAKI) writes: > >In article <511@tivoli.UUCP> alan@tivoli.UUCP (Alan R. Weiss) writes: > > >Can you share any information on how software is being written in > >Japan? Is it fairly monolithic, or are different techniques and > >process models (software engineering methodologies) being tried? > >As far as I know, people are seldom applying software engineering >methodologies in Japan. Few people are trying some methodologies for >Software developments and others are just watching where they are going. >Historically, any kind of software such as computer software, services, or >knowledge was considered free of charge or cheep to get, in Japan.. Thus, >Japanese firms were focussing on Hardwares developments. This is interesting. We in the American software industry keep hearing of the prolific, bug-free Japanese developer/engineer who often completes 200 - 300 lines of defect-free code per day. Can you verify this for us? Is the 5th Generation Project dead? >Many companies in Japan have their own standard in documentations and/or >methodologies in building softwares but most of them were copied from that >of IBM's or of other companies in US. This used to be true in America (for example, the Unisys Phase Review is a copy of the IBM Plan of Record process). I believe that it is no longer the case, as independent researchers such as Barry Boehm, Watts Humphrey, the SEI, MCC, and literally thousands of software firms create their own methodologies. >In OMRON's example, we had a standard based on iPT(Improved Programming >Technologies) from 12 years ago and hasn't been modified since. I am now >renewing based on Structured Analysis and Design. Ed Yourdon and Tony DeMarco's Structured Design/Analysis/Coding is still very popular here, but being adapted to rapid-iterative, Spiral, and other models. We're seeing the object-oriented paradigm forcing a reinvestigation of process models, too. Fundamentally, the software architecture tends to drive the process (form follows function, so to speak :-) >After 1985, various CASE Tools have been introduced in Japan and people >started to recognize the importance of `Software Engineering approach'. >Now we have conferences and discussions everywhere. But very few companies >have succeeded in instroducing software engineering methodologies inside. >Many conflicts in job process. CASE has taken root in America, too, although more for application development than system software. As for getting software engineering principles adopted within your compnay .... join the club! THAT is the KEY ingredient in improving quality, and it is difficult. It would be useful, perhaps, if you tried experiments with smaller groups, and build upon your success and learn from your mistakes, rather than trying to revolutionize the entire company. > >Are people and companies in Japan applying statistical quality assurance > >(i.e. Demings, Juran, and others) to software development? Quality metrics? > >In my company, we've just made a `Quality metrics' table for software >products last month. What kinds of metrics are you using? Can you share this information, or is it too proprietary? > >I am just at the entrance of this field but I am trying to watch the trends >in Japan and in the world so that I can imporove software developments in >my company. Your intense interest will surely lead you to success, but remember that SQA is a young science. Keep at it, and keep trying to improve the profession as a whole. > >-- > _______________________________________________ >:|Ryuji YAMASAKI >:|OMRON Corporation. Kyoto Japan >:|junet : ryuji@lsa.ncl.omron.co.jp >:|uunet : ryuji%lsa.ncl.omron.co.jp@uunet.uu.net >:|Tel : 075-951-5111 ex-3109 _______________________________________________________________________ Alan R. Weiss TIVOLI Systems, Inc. E-mail: alan@tivoli.com 6034 West Courtyard Drive, E-mail: alan@whitney.tivoli.com Suite 210 Voice : (512) 794-9070 Austin, Texas USA 78730 Fax : (512) 794-0623 "I speak only for myself, not for TIVOLI" _______________________________________________________________________