Homework 1

Please read the No Silver Bullet article discussed in class.

Then answer the following questions.

  1. Define the term essential difficulties as it is used by Brooks.
  2. Define the term accidental difficulties as it is used by Brooks.
  3. List and briefly describe the four essential difficulties of developing software systems that Brooks identifies.
  4. Define what Brooks means by a "silver bullet" and reconstruct his argument as to why he believes there is no silver bullet for software engineering.

Please submit your work by sending me an e-mail with your answers contained in the body of the message or with your answers attached in a PDF document.

Do NOT submit .doc, .docx, .odt, or other document formats.

This homework is due by 11:59 PM on Tuesday, January 19th.

© Kenneth M. Anderson, 2010.