THE SOFTWARE AGE

Abstract

This chapter discusses the increasing importance and use of software worldwide in all fields. One can see the pervasive impact of the information society and the more recent importance of software on the industrial development. This effect is similar to the transition from an agricultural to an industrial society. In its early days, farmers, plantation owners, and owners of estates and trading companies associated with the agricultural industry resisted the industrial revolution. They resisted its advent in every way possible. Those with vested interests in the agrarian society looked at industrial development simply as a companion activity to agrarian activities and as a source of competition. Education and training are going to see continued emphasis on software development, the development of both learning programs, and the databases for education and research. One exciting and growing area of software development is in the application of artificial intelligence to industrial problems. Artificial intelligence has become the darling of the industrial world. Applications of artificial intelligence, which principally means software development, are being utilized today in chemistry, medicine, engineering, education, and various areas of applied design.