Software Ecosystem: Understanding an Indispensable Technology and Industry by David Messerschmitt, University of California at Berkeley Clemens Szyperski, Microsoft Research MIT Press, 2003

© 2002 Massachusetts Institute of Technology. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form by any electronic or mechanical means (including phototyping, recording, or information storage and retrieval) without permission in writing from the publisher.

Abstract

In this book, software technology and the myriad issues that surround its dissemination and use are examined from a number of relevant perspectives. Software is examined in the context of its users, its developers, its buyers and sellers, its operators, society and government, lawyers, and economics. The book attempts to bring these perspectives on software together in ways that illustrate that software is both distinctive from other goods and services and interesting from a variety of perspectives. It attempts to explain the software technology, industry, and context to non-technical professionals in ways that they can appreciate and understand, filtered by issues they will find important. It also attempts to explain to technologists many aspects of the context of software use and sale that should strongly influence how software is developed and how software technology needs to evolve in the future. The book attempts to stimulate research relevant to software and its uses by including a number of interesting discussion and research questions at the end of each chapter.

The following excerpts from the pre-publication manuscript are provided to help you appreciate the book. Cautionary note: these excerpts have not been copy edited, and thus to not represent the final published book. You will need Acrobat Reader 5.0 or higher to view this content.

Latest News

Software Ecosystem has been recognized by the Association of American Publishers as the outstanding achievement in Professional and Scholarly Publishing in the Business, Management, and Accounting category for 2003. Here is the press release.

Table of Contents

Preface

Chapter 1

Errata