Evolution Of Software Development

Over the last 20 years software development has evolved from writing single routines achieving a particular task to developing a larger number of small components following a similar pattern to the evolution within the electronics industry. Common areas of functionality have been combined together and reduced in size to form individual chips with a published interface to enable users to access the functionality. Within the software world this evolution has taken place in the form of objects and libraries - individual blocks of functionality have been developed and combined together to form single units with a published interface to enable developers to access them and quickly link together components to build bigger, more complex systems in a very short space of time. This approach is more efficient, ensures a greater reuse of software and significantly reduces the risk of a software development project.

In order to efficiently build and use software components within this manner consistent styles and structures need to be applied to the code, software patterns. The code also needs to be developed and maintained within an environment where multiple developers can use and maintain it independently and regression tests applied to it to ensure backwards compatibility with previous versions. Additionally the interface needs to be cleared defined and documented so that the functionality can be quickly and simply integrated into larger components in the same way a electronic component plugs into a printed circuit board.

Stoat Software specialises in setting up, working within and maintaining environments so that software components can be efficiently created and maintained. This involves ensuring good, consistent practice within the coding, incorporation of classic design patterns to facilitate reuse and the creation of robust regression test harnesses and suites to ensure standards are exceeded and maintained.

Development projects range from standalone applications to complete distributed or web based applications. Enhancing or extending existing applications can be more efficient within a workplace and can help to ensure maximum benefit from investment within existing systems or help reduce the number of disparate systems within an office workflow. Web based applications provide great flexibility and scalability for a large number of users while minimising the system maintenance to a single server or servers. This approach can simplify data resilience by ensuring all information is stored in a single place from where it can be easily backed up for future safety.

Components can be developed to implement specific algorithms either from scratch or ported across from other languages. For example, algorithms to solve particular business problems or implement mathematical functions. These components can have standard, published interfaces to enable them to be easily incorporated in and reused across a range of application projects.

Extracting information from data is only useful if the results of the analysis can be visualised and acted upon. By creating graphic representations of data it is easier for user to understand the results of the analysis and make decisions accordingly. A combination of clustering, layering and colouring techniques can be incorporated into user interfaces to enable the patterns and information within a data set to be readily identifiable by the user. The visualisation of data can be further enhanced by providing interactivity within the data so that user can browse around and explore the information in greater detail.