Speaker: Stephen Gorton, ATX Technologies (University of Leicester)

Humans change, and as a result, our requirements for software change as well. Old systems can become cumbersome and expensive to maintain, particularly if they were written in now-obsolete languages or use extinct technologies. Even when maintenance is possible, it does not mean that it can be done well. Very often, layers of software keep being added without restructuring what was there already, or new applications are coarsley stitched to old ones without taking into account the global structure or architecture of the system.
In modern terms, we could say that software becomes 'obese', as it lets 'fat' accumulate, for instance, old code that is no longer necessary. As a result, applications become less and less efficient, more and more difficult to change. And, when this happens, systems begin to lack the agility, flexibility, and responsiveness that companies require to address the fierce competition and market volatility that characterises business today.
This talk presents the concept of modernising software. It looks at the reasons why modernisation is necessary, what methods can be employed to perform the process, and what benefits a company should expect afterwards. Furthermore, we will also discuss how a company can keep their software from falling into the 'obesity' or 'legacy' trap.

Venue: Charles Wilson Building, University of Leicester

Buffet available from 18:30; talk starts at 19:00. Non-members welcome.