Software Engineering Terms - F

FEASIBILITY STUDY

A process that determines whether the solution under analysis is achievable, given the

organization's resources and constraints.

FIELD

Synonym for a data element that contains a specific attribute's value; a single item of

information in a record or row.

FOCUS

The application object to which the user-generated input (usually keyboard and mouse) is

directed.

FOREIGN KEY

A field or set of fields in a table whose value must match a primary key in another table

when joined with it. Also see primary key and join.

FORM

A screen formatted to facilitate data entry and review. Utilizes data entry fields, option

selection tools, and control objects such as buttons and menu items.

FUNCTIONAL AREA

Any formally organized group focused on the development, execution, and maintenance

of business processes in support of a defined business function.

FUNCTIONAL DESIGN STAGE

That stage of the software development lifecycle that focuses on the development and

validation of designs for architecture, software components, data and interfaces. Often

combined with the system design stage into a single stage for smaller applications.

FUNCTIONAL ELEMENT

A definition that specifies the actions that a software component, product, or system must

be able to perform.

FUNCTIONAL TESTING

Also known as end-user testing. Testing that focuses on the outputs generated in

response to selected inputs and execution conditions.

FUNCTION POINT ANALYSIS

A software measurement process that focuses on the number of inputs, outputs, queries,

tables, and external interfaces used in an application. Used for software estimation and

assessment of developer productivity.

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Software Engineering Terms - E

ENCRYPTION

The coding and scrambling of messages to prevent unauthorized access to or

understanding of the data being stored or transmitted.

END-USER REVIEW

The review of a deliverable for functional accuracy by a Subject Matter Expert who is

familiar with the software product under design or development. See Review.

ENTITY

A collection of attributes related to and describing a specific subject, such as Products.

ENTITY-RELATIONSHIP DIAGRAM

A diagram illustrating the relationship between various entities in a database.

EXECUTABLE

A binary data file that can be run by the operating system to perform a specific set of

functions. In Windows, executables carry the extension .EXE and can be launched by

double-clicking on them.

EXTERNAL INTERFACE

In database applications, an external interface is a defined process and data structure

used to exchange data with other systems. For example, an order processing application

may have an interface to exchange data with an external accounting system.

EXTERNAL INTERFACE COMPLEXITY

The level of complexity associated with an external interface. A simple interface is

generally unidirectional, with limited, stable logic defining the structure of the exchanged

data. A standard export from a database to a spreadsheet is considered a simple

interface. A complex interface may be bi-directional, or may have extensive, adaptive

logic defining the structure of the exchanged data. The transmission of labor data to a

corporate payroll system, with its attendant validation and transaction confirmation

requirements, is considered a complex interface.

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Software Engineering Terms - D

DATA

Streams of raw facts representing events before they have been organized and arranged

into a form that people can understand and use. See information.

DATA DICTIONARY

A structured description of database objects such as tables, indexes, views and fields,

with further descriptions of field types, default values and other characteristics.

DATA ELEMENT

See field.

DATA ENTITY

A data representation of a real world object or concept. Usually represented as a row in

a database table, such as information about a specific Product in inventory.

DATA FLOW DIAGRAM

A primary tool in structured analysis that graphically illustrates a system's component

processes and the flow of data between them.

DATA TYPE

A description of how the computer is to interpret the data stored in a particular field. Data

types can include text or character string data, integer or floating point numeric data,

dates, date/time stamps, true/false values, or Binary Large Objects (BLOBs) which can

be used to store images, video, or documents.

DATABASE

A set of related data tables and other database objects, such as a data dictionary, that

are organized as a group. A collection of data organized to service many applications at

the same time.

DATABASE OBJECT

A component of a database, such as a table or view.

DATABASE ADMINISTRATOR

Person(s) responsible for the administrative functions of databases, such as system

security, user access, performance and capacity management, and backup and

restoration functions.

DATABASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (DBMS)

Software used to create and maintain a database and enable individual business

applications to extract the data they need without having to create separate files or data

definitions for their own use.

DEFAULT

An initial value assigned to a field by the application when a new database record is

created. Used to facilitate data entry by pre-entering common values for the user.

DELIVERABLE

A specific work product, such as requirements or design documentation, produced during

a task or activity to validate successful completion of the task or activity. Sometimes,

actual software is delivered.

DESIGN ELEMENT

A specification for a software object or component that fulfills, or assists in the fulfillment

of a functional element. A part of the system design specification.

DESIGN STAGE

A stage in the software development lifecycle that produces the functional and system

design specifications for the application under development.

DEVELOPER SKILLS/RESOURCES

The availability of developers and other resources with appropriate skills is a significant

factor in project success. When developers and resources are readily available, the

likelihood of project success is very high. Most development firms manage multiple

projects, allowing some contention between projects for developers and other resources.

This project risk factor is considered high when one or more developers with specific skill

sets, or resources with specific capabilities, need to be acquired before the project can

continue.

DOCUMENTATION

Information made available to: 1) assist end-users in the operation of a software

application, generally in the form of on-line help, or 2) assist developers in locating the

correct root procedure or method for a specific software function, generally in the form of

an implementation map. Note that printed manuals are rarely delivered with software

anymore; on-line documentation is more consistently available from within the application

and is easier to use.

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