How software engineering differs from other fields of engineering Essay

How software engineering differs from other fields of engineering - Essay Example The concept is applied with reference to engineering and computer science principles and practices, when exploring the development, operability and the maintenance of software systems. This paper will explore the aspects that differentiate software from other fields of engineering like mechanical and electrical engineering. The paper will also discuss the specific characteristics of the ‘software’ product, which differentiate the field from other engineering domains. The differences between software engineering and other traditional engineering disciplines The field of software engineering, unlike other traditional fields of engineering, can be traced to the growth in the field of computing and information technology. The growth in the field of computing and information technology has prompted the tremendous growth of the field of software engineering (Ghezzi, Jazayeri and Mandrioli, 2003). On the other hand, other fields of engineering can be traced to the development a nd the growth of respective fields of study and practice, and not necessarily the field of computing and information technology (Sommerville, 2008). ... erent from traditional engineering disciplines, in that many of the other fields of engineering – including civil, chemical, mechanical, and electrical engineering – can be traced to the discrete application of mathematical basements. On the other hand, software engineering can be traced to the application of technical computer and mathematical science principles, which resulted from the need of maintaining and improving software systems (Ghezzi, Jazayeri and Mandrioli, 2003). This difference shows that the field depends, mainly, on the principles of discrete mathematics, particularly that related to logic (Jones, 1995). Software engineering is different from traditional engineering fields, in that many of the engineers practicing these other fields construct real artifacts, but software engineers construct virtual/ abstract artifacts. This points out that the products developed by software engineers may not be subjected to the evaluation and the testing which is releva nt to those produced by the engineering practicing in the traditional fields. Additionally, traditional engineering fields are mature fields incorporating continuous mathematics and physical sciences, but software engineering is more immature, and reliant on discrete mathematics and computer sciences (Herbsleb and Goldenson, 1996). In traditional engineering, there are two major concerns about the products produced, including the costs of production and the reliability of the product, which is a function of time and failure (Jalote, 2005). On the other hand, in software engineering, the main concerns related to the products developed include the costs of development and the reliability of the virtual product, which is a function of the number of errors noted for every thousand lines of the source

Critically Assess Whether Monetary Union Within The EU Has Been Essay

Critically Assess Whether Monetary Union Within The EU Has Been Successful And Discuss Suggested Changes Which Could Be Made To - Essay Example It will also lay out some of the discussion regarding the debt crisis and the importance of the European Central Bank in the current situation. The Success of Monetary Union within the European Union The Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) has been extraordinary in the contemporary history of the European economy and was successful in altering the international economic landscape. Following a decade of its release, the Euro was successful in offering steadiness with regard to businesses along with the national economies. The Euro protects against tentative sprints in relation to the national currencies. A sole monetary policy that was adopted for the Member States, which was united with synchronized global fiscal policies, was capable of promoting macroeconomic steadiness. The EMU successfully encouraged Europe of economic integration and also amplified investments, financial incorporation and cross-border business. EMU within the EU also facilitated in enhancing the budgetary discipli ne and even took care and stabilised the repositioning of the exchange rate which were known to upset the European economy at regular intervals in the past (European Union, 2009). The EMU had even augmented the EU’s flexibility to unfavourable jolts and facilitated in promoting management of the international economy by the EU. Besides these the tangible advantages that were generated by the EMU gave rise to or created strong public finances and strengthened the worldwide position of Euro (European Union, 2009). Discussion of the Problems and the Suggested Changes By entering the Euro zone, European countries lost their monetary independence and also their central banks, which in cases like that of the current crisis would back the countries’ sovereign bonds. This is a drawback of the European monetary system and the European Central Bank (ECB) should be allowed to â€Å"stand behind solvent and sovereigns with unconditional and unlimited liquidity† (The Economi st, 2011, p. 65). Whether Germany can accept this situation is still to be seen, but it should admit the implications and get ready for a breakdown of monetary union or try to act in symphony with other various member states. A parallel, although not obvious, could be traced with Argentina’s debt issues a decade ago. Argentina had its peso fixed to the dollar, maintaining something close to a monetary union with the US. In 2001 to early 2002 it suffered a debt and currency crisis leading that country to default. Source: (Hugh, 2011). However, this has not been an option for Greece. German finance minister holds the keys to the money printing machines. The German Chancellor needs to be approached to receive consent for the reason of printing money. Therefore, this trims down the prudence enjoyed by the Portuguese government, but the ways by which the Eurozone gets affected owing to this still need to be explored. In order to further comprehend the aspect, help of an assumption can be taken. For instance, a Chinese