Ambiguous software

Is software ambiguous or relative?
This question may sound strange - since one or both of these descriptions may, wrongly or rightly, be applicable. We just don’t know yet - because software is still not fully understood.




ref.: Measures for Excellence, L.H. Putnam and W. Meyers

Therefore, the question, as such, is a valid one.
It forms the central theme for a workshop I am organising for physics students from the University of Twente.
The aim is to explore with them the similarities and differences between software and physical models and processes. In the course of my career, I have noticed many similarities - such as the principle of separation of concern or the measurement of software properties.

Thirty years ago, I received an education in physics. Nowadays, I am a software consultant - yet my background in physics provides me with a broad, basic knowledge and insight.

I hope that the answer to this question will go some way to improve our understanding of software, which still remains ‘patchy’.

Reflections on Document Management

A document can look deceptively simple: a piece of paper with some text and perhaps figures, presented in a certain layout and style. However, the need for management becomes abundantly clear when you have more of them, tens, hundreds, thousands, maybe millions! How do you arrange them in such a way that someone can find what he or she is looking for?

The first idea is to logically file them in cabinets, drawers and binders. But how long can you or your organisation summon up the self-discipline to file them in this way? When do you want to change your way of filing? Is a change even possible, after your original method of filing has become deeply entrenched? A somewhat revolutionary idea is to collect your documents, without sorting, into one big container, only organising them when they are needed.

As far as the management of electronic documents is concerned, this idea is indeed revolutionary but also eminently applicable. Internet and search engines allow us to quickly scan numerous documents and find the ones we are looking for. So why not apply this idea to electronic documents within an organisation or on your own computer?