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(More customer reviews)If you are old enough to have studied David Parnas' papers, buy this book - all his treasures are collected in one convenient place.
If you are too young to have studied Parnas' work, then know there is great value in studying the classics no matter what field you are in. Until now, we have not been able to study classics, as our field was too young for true classics to have been identified. As I read this book, I realize Parnas' papers have stood the test of time and are worthy of serious study by all in our field who wish to be thought of as professional software engineers.
During the early decades of our profession, David wrote some of the most insightful papers published. He uniquely wove a scholarly approach to understanding how we might develop our field, with a pragmatic view of what really happens as we set out to build software systems.
As I developed my career, his papers influenced how I thought about and approached my discipline. More than that, his papers influenced the foundation of all software engineering. For example, he first applied the word "module," to our field - the term since has been abused to the point where it means nothing, but he was talking about what we have come to call an object! With the term "information hiding," he was telling us how to design fine objects.
Beyond objects, he explored how to approach reuse, he laid the foundation for application frameworks, and showed us that methodical system specification was possible. These are just a few examples, he addressed so much more.
Adding value to Parnas' collection of papers, some of the most influential leaders in the field of software engineering introduce his papers, explaining how Parnas' ideas are being put to work in our modern day practice.
I remember a time, sitting beside my grandfather as he showed me pictures he had taken throughout his life. For him it was a chance to remember important times from his past. For me it was my opportunity to learn about a history that had great influence on me. His stories answered who I was and why my family was the way it was.
"Software Fundamentals," provides just such a valuable experience. If you are "one of the old guys," you will enjoy looking again at these wonderful ideas. If you are a "young'n" then learn about the foundations of software engineering, learn where we have come from, learn the lessons of an earlier generation and you will have my respect. After all, those who do not learn from history, are condemned to relive it.
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From software design and specification to the social impact of technology, few software engineers have had the insight -- or the impact -- of David L. Parnas. Now, two leaders of the software engineering community have selected, annotated, and brought together 30 of Parnas' best papers: a lifetime of best practices that will be invaluable to every software practitioner -- and anyone who cares about the deeper meaning of information technology. Every article in this collection addresses a key problem in software development -- and presents insights that are as valuable now as when Parnas first shared them.
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