Software engineering [technology analysis and forecast]

A year ago, the map of software engineering seemed etched in stone. At its imperial center was Microsoft Corp., surrounded by the minor feudal states that had to pay it homage and live under its sway. But by year´s end, the Internet had destabilized the empire and it was unclear whether the center would hold. Thus, 1997 will likely be supercharged-with change-mostly for the good of software engineering. It will certainly be a year in which many of the things people have wanted from software will actually be delivered. The author discusses Java, virtual reality, speech processing, security, and software quality