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Reviewer: Marvin V. Zelkowitz

This book is volume 2 of a two-volume set. It presents, in an easily readable style, issues that a programmer must address in building large systems. Unlike volume 1, which addresses the entire development process, this volume is only concerned with source code development and issues like package development, use of global variables, type and variable names, visibility, and structured programming issues. The book uses a Pascal notation with extensions to include packages (like in Ada); however, each chapter addresses how specific issues (e.g., packages themselves) are handled in Ada, Modula-2, or C, so this book can be used within a large programming community. Part 2 of the book is a listing of the text editor developed in volume 1, with numerous comments about the adequacy of the code—both good and bad. It is a good analysis of that program. I was not as pleased with volume 2 as I was with volume 1. The correct functional development of correct source programs is covered via a set of informal heuristics—good, but informal nevertheless. The important topics of testing, validation, and verification are only given summary treatment by means of hypothetical examples and fables. There are formal models that are practical for module design, procedure design, datatype design, and verification. Some of this should have been included in order to improve the book. On the whole, however, it is a good book.