This book reveals a novel and compelling structure for software development that redefines the nature and purpose of software. The author explains how, in the modern ...knowledge economy, ... software systems are not ...products... in the classical sense, but a medium for the conveyance of information. From this definition flows a new assessment of the basics of software development: the purpose of methods and processes; a comparison of programming languages; and an analysis of quality management, cost estimation, and project management and completion. The groundbreaking perspective outlined in this book provides an expert guide to the successful planning and execution of development projects.