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Life cycles in software and knowledge engineering: a comparative review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 July 2009

Michael Wilson
Affiliation:
Informatics Dept, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chilton, Didcot, Oxon OX11 0QX, UK
David Duce
Affiliation:
Informatics Dept, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chilton, Didcot, Oxon OX11 0QX, UK
Dan Simpson
Affiliation:
Dept of Computing, Brighton Polytechnic

Abstract

Progress in software engineering has led to system development following models of the system life cycle. These models incorporate the use of prototyping and formal methods of program verification. They are becoming supported by integrated project support environments and permit the planning and monitoring of software development projects.

In contrast, knowledge based systems (KBS) are developed using informal views of the system life cycle. Tools have been developed to support some stages of the life cycle in an undisciplined manner. The commercial use of KBS needs development projects to be planned and monitored. This requires methods and tools based on systematic life cycle models to be established for KBS.

This paper reviews the current state of life cycle approaches to software engineering and KBS development projects in order to provide a direction for the development of methodical KBS life cycle models.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1989

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