Abstract

Software construction—the “build” within the project life cycle—is a challenging activity where the objective is to produce reliable software that conforms to user specifications. The construction phase is closely linked to software design, and also has a significant impact on software testing. This entry summarizes key elements of best practice for software construction from three perspectives. The first is the process perspective, which emphasizes that software construction is part of a larger value-adding process within an organization. The second is the technical perspective, which focuses on software construction fundamentals, and summarizes key design and implementation ideas that have a proven track record in terms of best practice software construction. The third is the management perspective, where the focus is on management issues and decisions that influence the success of the construction phase. Throughout the entry, practical selected examples are employed to illustrate how techniques can contribute to the overall goal of producing a high-quality product that satisfies the end customer.