3.3.1 - Aspects of software development

Question 1

What is the SDLC?

Answer 1

Software development life cycle consists of the main stage of software development
Analysis
design
implementation
testing
evaluation

Question 2

What is the analysis stage?

Answer 2

The definition of a problem and the establishment of system requirements and data model needed to solve the problem, after necessary research.

The analysis stage is the first stage in the development process

it involves:
- defining what the problem is(what has prompted the need for a new system)

-it involves gathering information to create system requirements

and a feasibility study(preliminary report to the user requiring a new system)

Question 3

What is the feasibility study

Answer 3

an analysis of whether it is possible or
desirable to create a system

A preliminary report to the user asking for a new system which details what possible solutions and how practical they are in terms of time and other resources

Gives the best possible way forward

Question 4

What does the SMART acronym mean?

Answer 4

It is a list of criteria for the system requirements defined as an output from the analysis stage
Specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, time- bound

Question 5

What is the design stage?

Answer 5

The planning and specification of the data structures, algorithms, modules and interfaces necessary for a solution the problem

Question 6

What does the availabilty of have to be assessed?

Answer 6

The choice of hardware and software needs to be assessed, dependendent on the users needs as different hardware can manipulate and store data differenly.

Question 7

Outputs of the design stage:

Answer 7

designs for:
user interfaces
System outputs - graphs, reports
algorithms
work files
data structures

Question 8

What is a modular structure design, with an example

Answer 8

Breaking down the problem into ‘modules’ that can be individually tested and programmed, allowing the program to be fixed faster

Top-down design: related to the
modular approach, this starts
with the main system at the top
and breaks it down into smaller
and smaller units a bit like a
family tree

Question 9

What is a data flow diagram?

Answer 9

A visual method of showing how data is passed around a program
Has 4 items
a storage item
data flow arrow
external entity
process

Question 10

How are algorithms in the design stage described?

Answer 10

The algorithms that are needed are identified
they can be written to a basic level using pseudocode or identified to a basic level

Question 11

What is a data dictionary

Answer 11

A table which defines what data values are needed in the system, specifying their length, type and validation and names

Question 12

What is a variables table and why is it neededc

Answer 12

a list of all the
variables that a program will
use, including names and data
types.

Some programming languages require you to declare variables before and declaring them can give tighter control to the programmers

Question 13

What is the HCI and what are the key factors

Answer 13

It is the term given to any interaction between the computer and its user, from GUI to physical layout
key facotrs are :
- easy to use
- ergonomic
_ target audience
_ technology

Question 14

What is the implementation stage

Answer 14

the third
stage of system development
where the actual code and data
structures are created

prtotype is developed

Question 15

Why is a prototype developed

Answer 15

To create a a stripped version of the whole system to test wether it works and it meets the cluients requirements

A stripped down version prevents time and money from being wasted on fully developing something the client may not appreciate

Question 16

What is testing?

Answer 16

Testing: the fourth stage of
system development that
includes a range of tests using a
variety of data.

Question 17

What is test data

Answer 17

data that generates a known response
normal data
boundary data
erroneous data

Question 18

What is development testing

Answer 18

Testing the code as it is being developed and produced

Question 19

4 types of develop,ent testing

Answer 19

Black box testing - putting in test data and checking the outcome against the expected output

White box testing - testing that each line of code and each possible pathway is working correctly

Unit testing - code is tested in modules one a time

Integration testing - the process of making sure data that has been tested as modules work when integrated together

Question 20

What is system testing

Answer 20

Testing that is carried out on the whole system once it has been completed

Question 21

What is evaluation ?

Answer 21

The final stage of system development where the system is judged against certain criteria

compares the actual outcome with the specification made in design stage

Question 22

What is examples of criteria for evaluation?
(8)

Answer 22

functionality - does it do what is meant to
ease of use - is it appropriate complexity to the client
ease of implementation - was it easy to integrate into the old systerm
cost effectiveness - was the cost justified
longevity - will the system need replacing fast
ease of adaptability - is it easy to debug and add new updates and modules
reliability - is the system up or dwon enough
performance - does the system match speed and volume of data requirements