Semantic Concept Engineering (SCE): A Methodology for Transforming Domain Problems and Intended Solutions into Executable Software through Semantic Design and AI-Assisted Engineering
Semantic Contract Engineering (SCE) is an end-to-end engineering methodology for designing software systems through explicit semantic contracts established before implementation. SCE treats system meaning, intent, domain concepts, architectural structure, component responsibilities, interfaces, behavioral constraints, and technical specifications as explicit engineering artifacts. Implementation is consequently treated as a downstream realization of previously defined semantic and architectural decisions rather than as the primary place where system meaning is discovered. The methodology separates the development process into explicit stages while maintaining a layered software architecture in which components communicate through defined contracts. This separation is intended to improve traceability, consistency, testability, replaceability, and auditability across the system lifecycle. SCE is proposed as a methodological framework for engineering complex software systems, particularly systems in which human requirements, domain semantics, architectural decisions, computational models, and AI-assisted development must remain aligned and inspectable. This document presents the conceptual foundations, development stages, architectural principles, semantic contracts, and engineering model underlying Semantic Contract Engineering. .