Event-Driven Computing Projects for Software Engineering Education

University Of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia MO

Investigators

Abstract

(34) Software Engineering This work develops a project testbed and corresponding hands-on exercises to introduce the software development of event-driven systems, an area of great interest to industry. The testbed uses the theme of a home automation system to introduce the idea of embedded "appliances" and to motivate students by making the exercises fun and interesting. Student work simulates real world development by providing incremental exercises that together comprise a semester-long "project", covering the critical elements in the software development process lifecycle. With a diverse and interesting set of external entities, students observe the effects of changes in the requirements as the instructor introduces real-world problems in concurrency and uncertainty and illustrates the effects of dynamic external entities. The target group includes undergraduate students majoring in computer science and computer engineering. The developed materials can be duplicated easily and inexpensively at other educational institutions. The use of these student projects begins to address deficiencies in software engineering education and better prepares students for a career in software engineering.