Module 01: Welcome to Software Engineering
Duration: 2-3 hours | Difficulty: Beginner
Welcome to your journey into software engineering! This module establishes the foundation for everything that follows.
What You'll Learn
- What software engineering actually is (and isn't)
- Why structured approaches matter
- The "software crisis" and how it was solved
- How AI is transforming software development
- Where SpecWeave fits in the modern landscape
The Big Picture
The difference: Spec-driven development captures decisions before they're lost.
Module Lessons
| Lesson | Topic | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 01.1 What is Software Engineering? | Core concepts and history | 45 min |
| 01.2 Development Environment Setup | Tools you need | 60 min |
| 01.3 Command Line Essentials | Terminal basics | 30 min |
Why This Matters
The Problem: Most developers jump straight to coding without understanding:
- Why certain practices exist
- How teams collaborate effectively
- What makes software maintainable
The Solution: This module gives you the mental framework that top engineers use.
The SpecWeave Paradigm Shift
Traditional AI coding tools help you write code faster. But they create a new problem:
"The chat is gone, and so is all the context."
SpecWeave introduces Spec-Driven Development — where every AI decision becomes permanent, searchable documentation:
| Traditional AI Tools | SpecWeave |
|---|---|
| Chat disappears | Specs persist in spec.md |
| No architecture record | ADRs capture decisions |
| Manual doc updates | Living docs auto-sync |
| Context lost between sessions | Full traceability maintained |
By the end of this academy, you'll understand why this paradigm shift matters and how to leverage it.
Prerequisites
- A computer (Mac, Windows, or Linux)
- Curiosity and willingness to learn
- No prior programming experience required
Let's Begin
Ready to understand what software engineering really is?