1.2.3 Software Development

Question 1

State the 7 stages of a software development life cycle.

Answer 1

Analysis
Design
Development
Testing
Implementation
Evaluation
Maintenance

Question 2

State the 4 types of testing.

Answer 2

Alpha testing
Beta testing
White box testing
Black box testing

Question 3

What is the analysis stage of the SDLC?

Answer 3

Collecting information from stakeholders
Using information to clearly define the problem & system requirements

Question 4

What is the design stage of the SDLC?

Answer 4

Different aspects of the new system are defined including inputs, outputs, security features, hardware set-up & user interface
Test plan may be designed

Question 5

What is the development stage of the SDLC?

Answer 5

Design is used to split project into individual self-contained modules

Question 6

What is the testing stage of the SDLC?

Answer 6

The program is tested against test plan

Question 7

What is meant by alpha testing?

Answer 7

Carried out in-house by software development teams within company
Bugs are pinpointed & fixed

Question 8

What is meant by beta testing?

Answer 8

Carrited out by end-users
Feedback from users informs the next stage of development

Question 9

What is meant by white box testing?

Answer 9

Carried out by software development teams
Test plan is based on internal structure of program
All possible routes through program are tested

Question 10

What is meant by black box testing?

Answer 10

Testers not aware of internal structure
Either within company or end-users
Test plan traces through inputs/outputs

Question 11

What is meant by implementation?

Answer 11

Installed onto users systems after appropriate changes made

Question 12

What is meant by evaluation?

Answer 12

Effectiveness of software is evaluated against system requirements
Robustness, reliability, portability & maintainability are considered

Question 13

What is meant by maintenance?

Answer 13

Errors or improvements are flagged by end-users
Software updates are sent out to fix bugs, security issues & improvements

Question 14

Describe the waterfall lifecycle.

Answer 14

Stages are completed in sequence
To make a change programmers must revisit all stages inbetween
Low user involvement

Question 15

Describe agile methodologies.

Answer 15

Different sections of the prototype are devloped in parallel
Adapt quickly to changes in user requirements
Provides user satisfaction over documentation

Question 16

Describe extreme programming.

Answer 16

Agile model
Each iteration through cycle generates a “working version” of program

Question 17

Describe the spiral model.

Answer 17

Manages risk-heavy projects
Loops through analysis, risk assessment, implementation, evaluation

Question 18

Describe rapid application development.

Answer 18

Each iteration generates an “incomplete version” given to user to trial
User feedback is used to generate next, improved prototype

Question 19

What six key qualities do all good algorithms have?

Answer 19

Inputs must be clearly defined
Must always produce a valid output for any defined input
Must be able to deal with invalid inputs
Must always reach a stopping condition
Must be well-documented for reference
Must be well-commented for modifications

Question 20

What is the waterfall model used for?

Answer 20

Low risk projects with little user input

Question 21

What are the advantages of using the waterfall model?

Answer 21

Easy to manage
Well documented

Question 22

What are the disadvantages of using the waterfall model?

Answer 22

Lack of flexibility
No risk analysis
Limited user involvement

Question 23

What are agile methodologies used for?

Answer 23

Small to medium projects with unclear initial requirements

Question 24

What are the advantages of using agile methodologies?

Answer 24

Produces high quality code
Flexible to changing requirements
Regular user input

Question 25

What are the disadvantages of using agile methodologies?

Answer 25

Poor documentation
Requires constant interaction between user and programmer

Question 26

What is extreme programming used for?

Answer 26

Small to medium projects with unclear initial requirements and excellent usability

Question 27

What are the advantages of using extreme programming?

Answer 27

Produces high quality code
Constant user involvement means high usability

Question 28

What are the disadvantages of using extreme programming?

Answer 28

Team is essential
End-user may not be able to be present

Question 29

What is the spiral model used for?

Answer 29

Large, risk-intensive projects with high budget

Question 30

What are the advantages of using the spiral model?

Answer 30

Thorough risk analysis
Caters to changing user needs
Produces prototypes throughout

Question 31

What are the disadvantages of using the spiral model?

Answer 31

Expensive to hire risk assessors
Lack of focus on code efficiency
High costs due to constant prototypes

Question 32

What is RAD used for?

Answer 32

Small to medium low-budget projects with short time frames

Question 33

What are the advantages of using RAD?

Answer 33

Caters to changing user needs
Highly usable product
Focus on core features, reduces development time

Question 34

What are the disadvantages of using RAD?

Answer 34

Poor documentation
Fast pace and late changes may reduce code quality