Trends in Software Design: Human Factors and Process Overview

Introduction

Today, an enormous network of computer-based applications is driving the global economy and providing consumers with innovative ways to shop, recreate, educate, and pursue livelihoods that were once the purview of brick-and-mortar organizations only. Not surprisingly, in this environment, software design has assumed new importance and relevance for public and private organizations of all sizes and types. To determine recent trends in software design, this paper reviews the peer-reviewed journal article "Learning & Personality Types: A Case Study of a Software Design Course" by Ahmed, Campbell, and Jaffer (2010), followed by a summary of key findings concerning current trends in software design.

The Software Design Process

According to Ahmed et al. (2010), irrespective of the purpose or context of a software application, the design process involves the translation of a given initiative into computer code that can be operated on any computer with the requisite capabilities. From a conventional perspective, the software design process is "a scientific approach to problem solving typically consisting of observing the characteristics of some phenomenon, making measurements of these, building a theory to explain them, and then seeking to verify these" (Ahmed et al., 2010, p. 37). Not only does the software design process integrate a scientific approach to problem solving, it also translates real-world problems into computer code that can address those problems in more efficient ways (Ahmed et al., 2010).

In sum, modern software design processes encompass the full range of user requirements, beginning with a given problem and extending to how the application will be implemented and administered. In this regard, Ahmed and his associates note that "software design area is concerned with the transformation of the statement of requirements into a description of how these requirements are to be implemented. Software design consists of activities such as architectural design, abstract specification, interface design, component design, data structure design, tasking design, and algorithm design" (p. 37).

Components and Techniques of Software Design

It is important to note that each software design project is unique in some fashion. Although relevant computer code can be reused where appropriate, the outcome of an initiative will differ according to the specific parameters used to quantify a desired outcome and the manner in which those parameters are conceptualized. As Ahmed et al. point out, "Software design uses a variety of techniques and forms of representation, each providing a capability for capturing and expressing a different view of the system" (2010, p. 38).

Conclusion

Just a few decades ago, even modestly powerful computers occupied entire warehouses and operated using primitive computer codes that have since been replaced by sophisticated codes capable of far more than simple "if-then" calculations. In their article "Learning & Personality Types: A Case Study of a Software Design Course," Ahmed, Campbell, and Jaffer (2010) make it clear that the software design process has become considerably more sophisticated in recent years. Nevertheless, an overarching need remains to take human-computer factors into account when designing computer applications today.

References

Ahmed, F., Campbell, P., & Jaffar, A. (2010). Learning & personality types: A case study of a software design course. Journal of Information Technology Education, 9, 37–39.