1.0 Software Development and Design

Question 1

1.5 Explain the benefits of organizing code into methods / functions, classes, and modules

Answer 1

These help with the D.R.Y principle (Don’t Repeat Yourself). Example: Classes are blueprints, Objects are houses, and Functions are things you do to or with objects.

Question 2

1.6 Identify the advantages of common design patterns (MVC and Observer): Observer

Answer 2

A pattern where dependant objects are updated or notified by one or more subject objects.

Question 3

1.6 Identify the advantages of common design patterns (MVC and Observer): MVC

Answer 3

A high-level abtraction where responsibilities are divided up into three loosely coupled component:
1. Model: the component that stores the data
2. View: the component that displays the data
3. Controller: the component that handles logic flow, user interactions, and directs models and view.

Question 4

1.7 Explain the advantages of version control

Answer 4

Maintains a history of changes for reference or rollback.

Question 5

1.8a Utilize common version control operations with Git: Add/remove

Answer 5

Add/Remove adds a file to staging Git for version controlling.

Question 6

1.8c Utilize common version control operations with Git: Commit

Answer 6

This will take all staged files and snapshot them into Git for version control. This will not update non-staged(added) files.

Question 7

1.8g Utilize common version control operations with Git: diff

Answer 7

This command will show any changes that have been made since the last commit. It will list every file that has been changed and display what have been modified inside said files.

Question 8

1.8a Utilize common version control operations with Git: clone

Answer 8

This command creates a local copy of a remote directory. Additionally it synchronizes it with the remote repository. Allowing for push/pull.

Question 9

1.8d Utilize common version control operations with Git: push/pull

Answer 9

Push: Forces your changes to a repository to the synchronized remote server.
Pull: Updates your repository from a synchronized remote server.

Question 10

1.8e Utilize common version control operations with Git: branch

Answer 10

Branches are parralel working enviroments to your master branch. Once you make a second branch everything you do on that branch will not affect the original one, and visa versa. You can still work on both, but the will not affect each other.

Question 11

1.8f Utilize common version control operations with Git: Merge

Answer 11

Merging combines two branches, the recieving branch where the changes are being pulled into and the target branch, which is where the changes are being pulled from.

Question 12

1.8f Utilize common version control operations with Git: handling conflicts

Answer 12

Conflicts occur when two merging branches both have changes to the same code in the same file and need to figure out which ones to keep. The way to fix this is after you use the merge command an error will appear and give you the option to choose which you would like to keep, choose one and the conflict is resolved.

Question 13

1.1 Compare data formats (XML, JSON, and YAML): YAML

Answer 13

YAML is highly human readable, compact and is ideal for configurations. It uses dashes (-) and seperate lines.

Question 14

1.1 Compare data formats (XML, JSON, and YAML): XML

Answer 14

XML is best used for legacy systems and SOAP (API web based protocol). It looks similar to html, using <>, </>

Question 15

1.1 Compare data formats (XML, JSON, and YAML): JSON

Answer 15

JSON is native to JavaScript making it the defacto language for webpages. It uses brackes [], {}

Question 16

1.2 Describe parsing of common data format (XML, JSON, and YAML) to Python data
structures: JSON

Question 17

1.2 Describe parsing of common data format (XML, JSON, and YAML) to Python data
structures: XML

Question 18

1.2 Describe parsing of common data format (XML, JSON, and YAML) to Python data
structures: YAML

Question 19

1.4 Compare software development methods (agile, lean, and waterfall): Waterfall

Answer 19

Outdated method where you do the four basic steps of Requirements, Design, Implementation, and Verification then at the end release and get customer feed back. No additional steps. Example: develop a product over a year and release it to get feedback.

Question 20

1.4 Compare software development methods (agile, lean, and waterfall): Lean

Answer 20

Method where you do the four basic steps of Requirements, Design, Implementation, and Verification on a shorter time frame than Waterfall, in addition after customer feedback you will eliminate waste. Example develop a product over 4 months and get feedback so you can get feedback 3 times a year and improve your processes each time.

Question 21

1.4 Compare software development methods (agile, lean, and waterfall): Agile

Answer 21

Method where you do the four basic steps of Requirements, Design, Implementation, and Verification on a shorter time frame than Waterfall. Example develop a product over 4 months and get feedback so you can get feedback 3 times a year as opposed to once.

Question 22

1.3 Describe the concepts of test-driven development

Answer 22

TDD is centered around the idea of constantly testing as your are developing the application.
1. Create a new test: This test should capture a requirement of the application code we are going to write.
2. Run tests: If there are any failures, correct the tests. Failures here are acceptable.
3. Write code to pass the new test: Add nothing more to the application code except what is required to pass the test.
4. Run tests: If any tests fail, fix the application code and re-run tests.
5. Refactor and improve code: Re-run tests each time the application code is improved and fix the code for each failure.