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To make apps more sustainable on your smartphone software developers to adapt their practices and government can lead by example. But sustainable software starts at consumers, says Patricia Lago, Professor of Software and Services “at the Free University. People should ask themselves questions about the power of the software they buy. Only then will software vendors adapt their products.
Sustainable software, what we have to actually understand by
Lago: “In order to function need software electricity. There is energy needed for the servers, but the software also uses the battery of the smartphone where it is running. Appeared in the course of time: the newer the software, the more powerful hardware (smartphone, PC) should be on which software can run. We use the same apps but these are becoming heavier. And because hardware is cheap, and increasingly powerful, no one cares about how efficient the software is. Software is very inefficient in energy consumption, this is not sustainable. “
” In addition, data centers often overcapacity. We can not predict how much space and energy is required to run software. To be sure, there are so many servers with huge memory space constantly. Take for example the server of a bank, in which an ever-growing amount of information is stored on clients. If we were to have a technique that looks at the growth of clients and the server room that is necessary for this growth, then we would be able to predict when and new servers are needed. These predictions require intelligent software. Because we do not have such clever software, are those servers for nothing and meanwhile consume a lot of energy. “
Who is Patricia Lake ?
Patricia Lake is professor of Software and Services “and held since January 1, 2015 the Fenna Diemer-Lindeboom chair at the university. Lago conducts research into better, more energy-efficient software. In her lecture she discussed to become more sustainable challenges for software (and software engineering).
Is it plausible that software developers and sellers make their products more sustainable?
“the business model in which hardware such as phone or laptop must always be replaced ‘thanks’ inefficient software is maintained by the companies that have made up this model. Some companies sell both hardware and software to match. If you look closely at the way they do, you see that they operate according to a cycle of six months. See eg Apple: one year a new version of the iPhone will be marketed. In about two years afterwards, more and new updates for the software that make the phone eventually unusable. That is the moment to get back with a new iPhone. In the intervening years there than for example launched a new computer; as consumers will indeed not be so quick two purchases in the same year. “
” But it is not true that all companies developing and selling both the hardware and the software. The rest of the company is actually mainly to follow, so they invest all their assets in speed. They must be as fast as possible on the market with a new product. If these companies their software in the first place would be more stable, thus less dependent on the cycle of others, they could put more money into innovation. It is partly historic development, but it would be more sustainable if software was less dependent on hardware. “
in your inaugural speech, you referred also to measure social impact of software, which does that mean?
“in developing software often work from the idea that apps can make people healthier and better society, but we never actually measure whether these ‘social’ goals are actually met . Think of apps that help people running. on your smartphone, smartwatch or other device you’ll be supported with beautiful trails and you can connect with friends. the theory behind it social networking in the running is your buddies do you motivate to go anyway, even if you just do not feel. That makes you healthier. the software is sold from that thought, but we have no idea whether the people really helps and makes healthier. Therefore, software developers not only look at the profits or performance of the software (everything works, there are no bugs ), but also to the effective social impact. “
What role do you see for the user of the software, the consumer, when it comes to sustainability
“when I talk with companies about sustainability, the reaction is: ‘it is very important, but as long as our customers do not ask … ‘. For example, the possibility would be offered to the consumer to choose between two apps that work the same but with different battery consumption, which would help all. The user chooses the app uses less battery, because that means less frequent charging, longer use of the smartphone and it is better for the environment. This motivates the industry to also to have in order to develop new software for sustainability. the consciousness of consumers can also play a role on the other side. Consider the existing dashboards for energy use in the home. If you can understand the (large) consumption of some devices, you become aware also that it is sustainable. “
Should tags or labels for sustainable software can help there?
“Yes, definitely. This will require first a better understanding of actual energy consumption of software. For labels are needed guidelines (when a product complies with these guidelines, and therefore receives a label?), And to establish guidelines is much more information is needed on energy consumption. The Green Lab, we are researchers, students and companies engaged in measuring the energy consumption of software. In this way we gather information and we train students to become software developers with an eye for sustainability. And that is sorely needed in the Netherlands. Where previously Netherlands still ahead seemed to be running when it comes to innovations and measures for energy efficient software, we are caught up considerably in recent years by countries such as Switzerland, Germany and Sweden. “
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