
TCSE Welcomes You to ICSE 2001

The International Conference on Software Engineering has become THE meeting place for the software engineering community world wide. This year, in Toronto, Hausi Müller and his team have created another spectacular event. 
In the forty-odd years in which software development has existed, we have experienced a series of waves of new methodological technologies. Each brings with it promises that the problems of our world will be bypassed, and offers to be our (new) silver bullet. But, as others have said, there are no silver bullets. Today, we face a new challenge as web-based development appears to offer rapid deployment of applications, for, in the words of the spin doctors, little effort and less skill. But we’ve heard it all before. The over-arching belief that motivates ICSE is that of engineering of  software systems, and the realisation of that goal. In each new phase, certain things change, and certain things remain the same. In addition, there will be patterns that, if we can find them will help us both strengthen our existing understanding, and extend it further. In a sense, ICSE provides the framework that makes this possible. Its long-term attendees and continuing workshops provide the continuity of experience. This, coupled  with its constant influx of new attendees and workshops on new topics are the conditions for consolidation, renewal and progress. In all this, ICSE is a participant’s conference. The leaders of the field are here, and well present. However, the audience (that’s you) can join the debate, challenge, reflect and contribute from the floor during the panels and question times. In this way, the field grows and the conference takes on additional life. Be a part of it!

Karl Reed