EDISS video series: Software Quality course at AAU

Summary

In this software quality course, Professor Luigi Petra introduces the importance of software quality and its impact on society. He highlights the lack of formal computer science education among software professionals and the absence of software quality management in many university curricula. The course aims to fill this gap by teaching the four pillars of software quality: requirements, software architecture, formal methods, and software metrics. Students will learn practical tools for quality management and engage in interactive lectures, seminars, and learning journal entries. The course is designed to give students an edge in their careers by emphasizing the critical need for reliable software.

Takeaways

• 👨‍🏫 The course is taught by Luigi Petra, an adjunct professor in computer science.
• 📚 The course aims to address the lack of formal education in software quality within the industry.
• 🚀 Software quality is crucial due to the ubiquitous role of software in society.
• 🏗️ The course covers four main pillars of software quality: requirements, software architecture, formal methods, and software metrics.
• 📈 Students will learn practical skills such as creating a requirements document and performing basic software analysis.
• 💼 The course includes lectures, seminars, learning journal entries, quizzes, and an exam.
• 📊 Interactive polls are used during lectures to engage students and reinforce key concepts.
• 📝 Learning journals require students to summarize and reflect on weekly topics, with instructor feedback.
• 🤝 Optional seminars provide a platform for discussion and clarification of course topics.
• 🔍 Quizzes offer an opportunity for students to earn extra points and reinforce learning from lectures.

Q & A

Who is the instructor of the software quality course?

The instructor of the software quality course is Luigi Petra, an adjunct professor in computer science.

Why is it important to take the software quality course according to the instructor?

It is important to take the software quality course because software is not always of quality, and there is a need for a more systematic approach to improving it. Additionally, not all universities include software quality management in their curricula, and the reliance on software in society makes it crucial to ensure its quality.

What is the significance of having a formal education in computer science or engineering in the context of software development?

Having a formal education in computer science or engineering is significant because it provides a foundational understanding that might be missing in those who are trained on the job. This can lead to a more consistent and higher standard of software quality.

What are the four pillars of software quality mentioned in the course?

The four pillars of software quality are requirements, software architecture, analysis of software using formal methods, and software metrics.

What practical skills will students learn in the course regarding requirements?

Students will learn how to devise a requirements document, which is a crucial part of ensuring that the software developed meets the needs and expectations of its users.

How does the course introduce students to software analysis using formal methods?

The course provides an overview of how to perform basic software analysis with formal methods, which are techniques used to specify, design, and verify systems in a rigorous mathematical way.

What aspects of software metrics will students learn in the course?

Students will learn to recognize and evaluate software metrics, which are measurements used to estimate the quality of software, such as complexity, maintainability, and performance.

What is the role of learning journals in the course?

Learning journals are a weekly submission on Moodle where students summarize the concepts they have learned, reflect on what was new or already known, and ask questions that arise from the lectures. The instructor reads and replies to each entry, providing feedback.

What is the purpose of the seminars included in the course?

The seminars are optional discussions where students can debate and clarify topics that may seem difficult. They provide an opportunity for deeper understanding and interaction with the course material.

How do quizzes function in the course, and what is their benefit?

Quizzes are equivalent to polls in the lectures and serve as a way for students to collect extra points, especially if they have attended the lectures. They also help reinforce the main concepts and are useful for the final test.

What is the administrative structure of the course in terms of assessments?

The course includes lectures, seminars, learning journal entries, quizzes, and an exam. Only the learning journals and the exam are mandatory, while the seminars and quizzes are optional but encouraged for a more comprehensive understanding.