Chapter 16

Part 3              Applying Web Engineering

Chapter 16

Web Engineering

CHAPTER OVERVIEW AND COMMENTS

This intent of this chapter is to provide an overview of Web applications and the process that should be applied to create them. Some people argue that there is nothing new in Web engineering—that we should simply apply solid software engineering principles and practices. There is some truth to this, but WebApps are different (technically and psychologically) and an adapted version of conventional software engineering practice (after all, that’s what Web engineering is) is well-woth considering.

The degree to which you emphasize this Part 3 of SEPA will depend on your personal course emphasis, the time you have, and the overall interest of your students. If the majority of course projects will be Web-based, Chapters 16 – 20 are highly recommended.

16.1 Attributes of Web-Based Systems and Applications

Be certain that your student understand that a WebApp is any software that uses the Web as it’s primary mode of delivery to end-users. Everything from simple informational Web sites and complex e-commerce applications is a WebApp.

The attributes noted in this section are worth discussing in class. Be certain to indicate that many conventional software applications also exhibit these attributes. It’s just that WebApp almost always do.

Have your student find existing WebApps that fit into the categories noted at the end of this section.

16.2  WebApp Engineering Layers

WebE layers—process, methods, and tools—are identical to the software engineering layers discussed earlier in the book. The process must be incremental and agile, The practice that populates that populated the methods layer is adapted to WebE projects. Tools are often customized to better accommodate WebE.

16.3 The Web Engineering Process

The generic process framework introduced in Chapter 2 is directly applicable to Web engineering.  Spend some lecture time discussing the interpretation presented in Section 16.3.1. Also, be sure to note the “basic questions” presented in the sidebar.

Discussion of the task sets presented in Section 16.3.2 can be delayed until more detailed information is presented in subsequent chapters.

16.4     Web Engineering Best Practices

            Even if a WebE team chooses not to apply the process discussed in Section 16.3, the best practices presented here should be applied. Be certain your students understand them.