Book excerpt: Software Engineer's Reference Book provides the fundamental principles and general approaches, contemporary information, and applications for developing the software of computer systems. The book is comprised of three main parts, an epilogue, and a comprehensive index. The first part covers the theory of computer science and relevant mathematics. Topics under this section include logic, set theory, Turing machines, theory of computation, and computational complexity. Part II is a discussion of software development methods, techniques and technology primarily based around a conventional view of the software life cycle. Topics discussed include methods such as CORE, SSADM, and SREM, and formal methods including VDM and Z. Attention is also given to other technical activities in the life cycle including testing and prototyping. The final part describes the techniques and standards which are relevant in producing particular classes of application. The text will be of great use to software engineers, software project managers, and students of computer science.