What Software Should Non-Software Engineers Validate?
Non-software engineers should be able to validate most software categorized as off-the-shelf or embedded. As its name implies, off-the-shelf software is purchased for a specific purpose, such as CAD software, compilers, or calibrationtracking software. Embedded software (or firmware) is software that is part of a machine tool or instrument. Sometimes it may not be obvious that an instrument is designed with software embedded in the design. Certainly, instruments with graphic user interfaces are based on embedded software. Other instruments or tools with simpler user interfaces may power up with a splash display that briefly communicates the version of embedded software that is controlling the display. A large machine tool may include many microprocessor-controlled subsystems (and thus use embedded software) . It may take some effort to even identify how many software items are included in some instruments and tools. PLCs can, in general, be treated like embedded software systems. For a
Related Questions
- Computer software engineers design and develop software applications used by businesses, schools, and individual consumers. Where would businesses be without spreadsheet software, or students without word processing programs?
- Why don more engineers adopt mechatronics design?
- What Kinds of Software Must Be Validated?
