newbie question

Hi !
Im new here.
From different posts i get that this RUP,UP, etc are some kind of processes.
What does the word "process" mean here. For what purpose are these used and who uses them...

Any resources for newbies...
Regards
Danish Shaukat

A process is a set of steps, usuingally involving different people, which produces one or more results.
Whan you create software, there's more then simply writing code. You need to do requirements gathering, design, produce documentation, testing, etc. These different processes talk about different ways of combining these steps.
As for a resource, I don't think there are too many good ones out there. I'm currently writing a book on this topic. Hopefully it'll be out by fall. I talk about some of this briefly in my talk at http://web.mit.edu/hershey/www/Real_World_Software_Engineering_files/v3_document.htm
--Mark

Thanks Mark !
Well as an absolute begineer what is the first process that i should study. Please do mention some links on it if anyone knows.

Apart from this one lil confusion. There is something called "Software Project Management"Is it similar to a process. :roll:
Regards
Danish