Path: utzoo!utgpu!water!watmath!clyde!bellcore!decvax!ucbvax!agate!aurora!amelia!ames!elroy!mahendo!jplgodo!wlbr!scgvaxd!trwrb!aero!venera.isi.edu!raveling
From: raveling@vaxa.isi.edu (Paul Raveling)
Newsgroups: comp.software-eng
Subject: Re: It IS Engineering
Keywords: Art Engineering Tolerances
Message-ID: <4741@venera.isi.edu>
Date: 9 Feb 88 19:03:56 GMT
References: <6879@agate.BERKELEY.EDU> <4618@teddy.UUCP> <691@unm-la.UUCP>
Sender: daemon@venera.isi.edu
Reply-To: raveling@vaxa.isi.edu (Paul Raveling)
Organization: Information Sciences Institute
Lines: 45

In article <691@unm-la.UUCP> claborn@unm-la.UUCP (Joe Claborn) writes:
>In article <4618@teddy.UUCP> svb@teddy.UUCP (Stephen V. Boyle) writes:
>>In article <6879@agate.BERKELEY.EDU> bks@ALFA.berkeley.edu (Brad Sherman) writes:
>>>current software development is not really "engineering."
>>>
>>>What do "real" engineers do that we do not?
>> ...
>
>I thought that engineering was choosing the best solution (given constraints)
>from the solution space. Perhaps that when designing heat exchangers the
>engineering is ALREADY done and can be looked up in a table. For a lot of
>software that isn't the case. I define best solution as the solution that
>minimizes the following costs.
>   --> cost of implementing
>   --> cost of maintenance
>   --> cost of modifying
>

	There's a heavy component of art in much software development,
	sometimes for better, sometimes for worse.  This is especially
	true for developing software without a well-defined (detailed)
	functional specification.  Some examples from my own experience...

		EPOS	(PDP-11 operating system, ISI, 1975++),
		GenRad/FutureData Slave Emulator product line, 1969++

			Perhaps 50% art and inspiration, 50%
			production by engineering discipline.


		B1-B Central Air Data Computer, Standard Central
		Air Data Computer, ~1984

			99% engineering discipline
	

	It seems to me that the most innovative work of lasting
	value involves a lot of art.  However, not may people
	can say "Fund me; I'll create a masterpiece!"  and be
	taken seriously.


---------------------
Paul Raveling
Raveling@vaxa.isi.edu