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Cover of ERCIM News 88

ERCIM News 88

July 2026

Special theme January 2012

Guest editors Tom Mens (Univ. of Mons) and Jacques Klein (Univ. of Luxembourg)

PDF of ERCIM News 88 68 pages

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Change is the Constant

Details
Category: Keynote
Published: 02 January 2012
Hits: 10151

by Joost Visser, Head of Research, Software Improvement Group

Jost Visser

There is something peculiar about software. When it idles, it does not rust. While in use, it does not wear down. Nonetheless, from the moment a software system is released, its quality deteriorates and an incessant stream of fixes, patches, and enhancements is required to keep its users satisfied. What’s going on?

Software systems stop meeting the needs they were built to satisfy, not because the software changes, but because the needs change.

Read more …

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