Software Engineering discussion

I think that this chapter missed a number of important topics.

Although it addresses the issue of different machine sizes for high level language types (like integer), and gives some guidance at how to define your own machine independent types, I would have liked more discussion on machine variations and how to write portable code, listing all potential type gotchas.

Also, the discussion on string types in C/C++ left off the buffer overrun, one of the most common security problems in software. In fact, one solution is to ban some of the functions mentioned, like strcpy(), and use special libraries designed for safe string handling. Come to think of it, I haven't seen much of anything related to secure coding considerations and practices in the book, so far.

I read many good things about Ada that make me thinking about learning the language, but I don’t know anyone actually programming in it. Google returns DoD, aviation, and manufacturing as primary users, but I’m wondering if it’s in devices or applications that we use every day?

I recently did some software porting to x64 from x32 and encountered several issues. This chapter didn't seem to catch any of them. The next chapter might as they were mostly pointers and structure issues.

There are good points in this chapter too.