1. Introduction

Software coding activities occur at the throughout the project. They may include prototyping and development of some throw-away code to experiment with approaches. The final code must be carefully produced and traced to prevent unforeseen problems from occurring after release.   

A project may be for the creation of a new product, or the enhancement of an existing product. It may even involve the merging of capabilities from multiple products into a new, more capable product.

Coding must be closely tied to requirements to avoid wasting time building something that is not wanted. 

The activities on this page include links to pages in the SWEHB that cover requirements from NPR 7150.2 as well as related Topics on techniques and Process Assets that may be used to help you in your project. 

1.1 Related Activities

• SE-Initiation and Planning - Coding activities are planned 
• SE-Estimation - Estimates are made and tracked for coding activities
• SE-Schedules - Coding Activities are scheduled and tracked to completion 
• SE-Training - Coders are trained in coding methods, the use of coding tools, and related subjects

2. Make / Buy / Reuse

This is one of the early decisions that must be made early in a project. Once the product requirements are settled, at least at a high level, the project team must decide how the code will be obtained. 

• Making code is always attractive among talented coders who are excited to create code from scratch. The advantage of this is that the code is highly customized and may be fixed using the project team's talent. This presumes that these talented individuals will always be available to do additional development and fix problems. 
• Buying code is attractive for smaller project teams where the coding talent is not readily available. Third party coders may solve problems with talent availability but this code my be carefully monitored to ensure it performs as required. 
• Reusing code may provide an attractive starting point for many project teams. It can be used to jumpstart a development effort when large portions of the reused code is adapted to the new needs. If the reused code is not up to current standards, it can be a challenge to cleanup to the projects needs and standards. 

2.1 Related NPR 7150.2 SWEs

• SWE-033 - Acquisition vs. Development Assessment 
• SWE-027 - Use of Commercial, Government, and Legacy Software

2.2 Related Topics and Process Assets

3. Automatic Code Generation

3.1 Related NPR 7150.2 SWEs

3.8 Automatic Generation of Software Source Code

SWE-146 - Auto-generated Source Code 
SWE-206 - Auto-Generation Software Inputs

3.2 Related Topics and Process Assets

4. Software Reuse

4.1 Related NPR 7150.2 SWEs

3.10 Software Reuse

SWE-147 - Specify Reusability Requirements
SWE-148 - Contribute to Agency
                   Software Catalog

4.2 Related Topics and Process Assets

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