Continuous Systems and Software Engineering for Industry 4.0: A disruptive view

•Industry 4.0 is completely transforming the manufacturing processes.•Industry 4.0 requires new means to develop, operate, and evolve its software-intensive smart systems.•We introduce the concept of Continuous Systems and Software Engineering for Industry 4.0 (CSSE I4.0).•Industrial initiatives and academic research towards CSSE I4.0 already exist.•Open issues still remain to mature CSSE I4.0 and realize the fourth industrial revolution.