"PIY-II and Extreme Programming"

Supervised by M.Holcombe

Abstract

There are many different methodologies that can be followed to produce a piece of software, some of which are easier than others to follow. This project has looked at one specific lightweight methodology created by Kent Beck known as Extreme Programming, or XP. Throughout this project, the various shortcomings of XP are highlighted and possible solutions are offered. Specifically, attempts have been made to tighten the definitions of terms invented within the XP world but never succinctly explained, as well as an attempt to bind the gap between the user stories (initial system specification) and the final software. It is hoped that in binding this gap, more hope can be offered to the software developer wanting to produce correct software.

The analysis of XP is based on experience gained whilst applying it to produce a particular piece of software, known as PIY-II. PIY-II is the successor to PIY, the product of a previous dissertation project. PIY, (Program It Yourself), is a tool aimed primarily at non-programmers to allow the creation of applications without the need for code. By using XP practices, PIY-II has been written with a great deal of success, and has grown into a fully extensible software development environment.