Both of these are contributors to re-engineering. These are closely related processes, but there is a fundamental difference between both of them. Forward engineering helps in making changes in a system and its subjects during the process of reconstruction. On the other hand, the sole purpose of reverse engineering is the examination of a system so that one can obtain a more abstract form of its design.
As already mentioned above, they both contribute to the process of re-engineering. Now, software re-engineering is basically a process through which one reimplements any system and its legacy for achieving better sustainability. The overall evolution of such a system involves the assimilation of the pre-existing system that we need to change. This way, the system gets altered with our implemented changes.
In this article, we will discuss the difference between forward engineering and reverse engineering in tabular form. But let us first know about both of these in detail.
What is Forward Engineering?
It is a method through which we make or create an application according to the given set of requirements. Reclamation or Renovation are some other names used for forward engineering. It requires pretty high proficiency skills and takes up more time for application development.
Forward engineering is basically a technique through which we create high-level designs or models using low-level information under high complexities. Thus, this type of engineering consists of a completely different set of principles for information process and packaging. It applies to all the processes of software engineering that contain SDLC for recreating the existing application. The main aim of forward engineering here is to fulfill the needs of new users with the process of re-engineering.
What is Reverse Engineering?
A common name of this type of engineering is backward engineering. Reverse engineering is basically a process similar to that of forward engineering, but it happens in reverse. This process collects information out of the pre-existing given application. This process takes comparatively less time than forward engineering when developing an application. Reverse engineering breaks down an application into minute systems to extract its architecture or the knowledge within.
Difference Between Forward Engineering and Reverse Engineering
Here is a list of the differences between forward engineering and reverse engineering.
| Parameters | Forward Engineering | Reverse Engineering |
| Basics | Forward engineering aims at re-developing an application with the provided resources according to the current requirements. | Reverse engineering aims at deducing the resources and requirements that went into developing an application in the first place. |
| Nature | It is perceptive in nature. | It is adaptive in nature. |
| Certainty | It always leads to the production of applications that implement the specified requirements. | Using this type of engineering, a user can easily yield a lot of ideas associated with the requirements of the implementation and development of the application. |
| Skills Needed | It requires high-proficiency skills. | It works even with a low level of expertise. |
| Total Time Required | It takes more time. | It takes comparatively less time. |
| Accuracy | The model in engineering must be complete and precise. | An inexact model can also yield partial information about the initial requirements and resources that went into its development. |
| Examples | A few examples of forward engineering are the construction of a DC motor, constructing kits (electronic), etc. | Performing research on various instruments is a commendable example of backward engineering. |
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