1. The Product The Evolving Role of Software Dual role of software Product - It’s a information transformer producing, managing, acquiring, modifying, transmitting information Vehicle - Use to deliver the product Acts as basic control of the computer Creation and control of the other program Software Software Characteristics SW可視為instructions, data structures, documentations Characteristics SW is developed or engineered (it’s not manufactured in the classical sense) SW doesn’t ware out (but it does deteriorate) Most SW continues to be custom built (although trends to component-based) Software Application Software Areas System Software Run-time Software Business Software Engineering and Scientific Software Embedded Software Personal Computer Software Web-Based Software Artificial Intelligence Software