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PREFACE xxvii

ious types of software engineering courses, recommendations for a variety of soft-
ware projects to be conducted in conjunction with a course, solutions to selected
problems, and a number of teaching aids.
A comprehensive video curriculum, Essential Software Engineering, is available to
complement this book. The video curriculum has been designed for industry train-
ing and has been modularized to enable individual software engineering topics to be
presented on an as-needed, when-needed basis. Further information on the video
can be obtained by mailing the request card at the back of this book. 1
My work on the five editions of Software Engineering: A Practitioner’s Approach has
been the longest continuing technical project of my life. Even when the writing stops,
information extracted from the technical literature continues to be assimilated and
organized. For this reason, my thanks to the many authors of books, papers, and arti-
cles as well as a new generation of contributors to electronic media (newsgroups, e-
newsletters, and the World Wide Web) who have provided me with additional insight,
ideas, and commentary over the past 20 years. Many have been referenced within
the pages of each chapter. All deserve credit for their contribution to this rapidly evolv-
ing field. I also wish to thank the reviewers of the fifth edition: Donald H. Kraft,
Louisiana State University; Panos E. Livadas, University of Florida; Joseph Lambert,
Pennsylvania State University; Kenneth L. Modesitt, University of Michigan—Dear-
born; and, James Purtilo, University of Maryland. Their comments and criticism have
been invaluable. Special thanks and acknowledgement also go to Bruce Maxim of
the University of Michigan—Dearborn, who assisted me in developing the Web site
that accompanies this book. Bruce is responsible for much of its design and peda-
gogical content.
The content of the fifth edition of Software Engineering: A Practitioner's Approach
has been shaped by industry professionals, university professors, and students who
have used earlier editions of the book and have taken the time to communicate their
suggestions, criticisms, and ideas. My thanks to each of you. In addition, my personal
thanks go to our many industry clients worldwide, who certainly teach me as much
or more than I can teach them.
As the editions of this book have evolved, my sons, Mathew and Michael, have
grown from boys to men. Their maturity, character, and success in the real world
have been an inspiration to me. Nothing has filled me with more pride. And finally,
to Barbara, my love and thanks for encouraging still another edition of "the book."

Roger S. Pressman

1 If the request card is missing, please visit the R. S. Pressman & Associates, Inc. Web site at
http://www.rspa.com/ese or e-mail a request for information to info@rspa.com.