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Explain in detail characteristics of software

Software has several distinct characteristics that differentiate it from other engineered products:

1. Software is Developed or Engineered, Not Manufactured​

  • Software is created through development processes rather than traditional manufacturing
  • There are no physical materials involved in production
  • Defects are design flaws, not manufacturing defects

2. Software Doesn't "Wear Out"​

  • Unlike physical products, software doesn't deteriorate with time
  • Software failures occur due to design errors, not physical deterioration
  • The failure curve for software is different from hardware (doesn't follow the "bathtub curve")

3. Most Software is Custom-Built​

  • Despite component-based development, most software is still customized
  • Each application often has unique requirements and implementation
  • Reusability exists but complete standardization is uncommon

4. Software is Intangible and Abstract​

  • Cannot be physically touched or seen
  • Measured in terms of function and performance rather than physical properties
  • Understanding requires mental abstraction

5. Software is Highly Complex​

  • No two parts of software are alike (unlike standardized physical components)
  • Scale of complexity often exceeds human comprehension capacity
  • Interactions between components can create unexpected behaviors

6. Software is Flexible and Malleable​

  • Easily modifiable compared to hardware
  • Often undergoes frequent changes and updates
  • This flexibility can lead to maintenance problems if changes aren't managed properly

7. Software is Logical Rather Than Physical​

  • Operates through logical rules and algorithms
  • Behavior is determined by design rather than physical laws
  • Failures are logical rather than physical in nature