Question

What is a software requirement?

Short answer

Answer: The purpose of a software requirement is to describe a specific need or expectation the stakeholders have for a software system. It helps capture the desired behavior and characteristics of the system for developers, designers, and testers to meet stakeholders' expectations. A functional requirement example for an e-commerce website is: "The system must allow customers to add items to the shopping cart," describing a specific functionality the system should provide to users. A non-functional requirement example for the same website is: "The website should load its content in under 3 seconds for users with a bandwidth of at least 5 Mbps," stipulating a performance constraint that the system must meet.

Step-by-step solution

Definition of a Software System

A software system is a collection of software components and other technologies, working together to provide specific functionality and achieve certain objectives. It usually consists of software applications and databases, along with user interfaces and other elements that enable users to interact with the system.

Purpose of a Software Requirement

A software requirement is a statement that describes a specific need or expectation the stakeholders have for a software system. These requirements aim to capture the desired behavior and characteristics of the system so that developers, designers, and testers can create the system to meet the stakeholders' expectations.

Types of Software Requirements

There are two primary types of software requirements: functional and non-functional requirements. 1. Functional requirements describe what a system must do, its features, and capabilities. They are usually specified in terms of inputs, processes, and outputs. 2. Non-functional requirements describe how well a system performs its functions. These might include constraints or attributes like performance, usability, security, and reliability.

Software Requirement Example: Functional Requirement

A functional requirement for an e-commerce website could be: "The system must allow customers to add items to the shopping cart." This requirement describes a specific functionality that the system should provide to its users.

Software Requirement Example: Non-Functional Requirement

A non-functional requirement for the same e-commerce website could be: "The website should load its content in under 3 seconds for users with a bandwidth of at least 5 Mbps." This requirement stipulates a performance constraint that the system must meet.