Identifying the domain of software engineering

This paper is the first in a series of three publications devoted to Software Engineering (SWE) university level education. The paper starts with a brief discussion on why SWE came into life and some recent new challenges. We study in some detail the fundamental question of what SWE is and should be. A substantial part of the discussion is then focused on the relationships between SWE and related disciplines, such as Computer Science, etc. Particular attention is paid to the investigation of the relationships (the mutual non-recognition or negligence) between SWE, Information systems analysis and design, and Systems engineering - an issue that strangely enough has not attracted proper consideration and the attention it definitely deserves. Our interest in the issues mentioned is motivated by our ultimate goal to understand how to most effectively design and deliver academic SWE programs or the SWE component in Computer Science or other related degrees. This effort is continued in the remaining two papers of the series where we analyse the current trends, practices and experience of SWE education world-wide and in the university we teach, and suggest solutions appropriate for the latter, and we hope for a widest range of other universities in the region and the world.