Toward Agentic Software Engineering Beyond Code: Framing Vision, Values, and Vocabulary

TL;DR

This paper advocates expanding agentic AI in Software Engineering beyond coding to encompass the entire process, proposing foundational values, principles, and vocabulary to guide the emerging field.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive 'whole of process' vision, foundational values, and vocabulary for agentic SE, broadening its scope beyond code-centric activities.

Findings

Recommends expanding agentic SE scope beyond code

Proposes foundational values and principles for agentic SE

Provides guidance on designing vocabulary for agentic SE

Abstract

Agentic AI is poised to usher in a seismic paradigm shift in Software Engineering (SE). As technologists rush head-along to make agentic AI a reality, SE researchers are driven to establish agentic SE as a research area. While early visions of agentic SE are primarily focused on code-related activities, early empirical evidence calls for a consideration of a wider range of socio-technical activities and concerns to make it work in practice. This paper contributes to the emerging visions by: (a) recommending an expansion of its scope beyond code, toward a 'whole of process' vision, grounding it in SE foundations and evolution and emerging agentic SE frameworks, (b) proposing a preliminary set of values and principles to guide community efforts, and (c) sharing guidance on designing and using well-defined vocabulary for agentic SE. It is hoped that these ideas will encourage collaborations and steer the SE community toward laying strong foundations of agentic SE so it is not limited to enabling coding acceleration but becomes the next process-level paradigm shift.