Intended for a one-semester, introductory course, Essentials of Software Engineering is a user-friendly, comprehensive introduction to the core fundamental topics and methodologies of software development. The authors, building off their 25 years of experience, present the complete life cycle of a software system, from inception to release and through support. The text is broken into six distinct sections, covering programming concepts, system analysis and design, principles of software engineering, development and support processes, methodologies, and product management. Presenting topics emphasized by the IEEE Computer Society sponsored Software Engineering Body of Knowledge (SWEBOK) and by the Software Engineering 2004 Curriculum Guidelines for Undergraduate Degree Programs in Software Engineering, Essentials of Software Engineering is the ideal text for students entering the world of software development.