Databases and Distributed Systems

Question 1

Acceptance Testing

Answer 1

will be carried out by the customer. They will test that a system meets their requirements. If the system passes this test the customer will sign-off the system as being ready for deployment into production running

Question 2

Automated Testing

Answer 2

where computer-controlled equipment tests programs for functionality and performance

Question 3

Automatic Formatting of Code

Answer 3

automatically formats code in the right way, for example, automatically indenting code

Question 4

Binary File

Answer 4

stores data in non-human readable format

Question 5

Black-Box Testing

Answer 5

a test technique in which the test feeds specific pieces of data into a system, before looking for expected outcome

Question 6

Branch

Answer 6

requests and independent line of development that stems from a central database

Question 7

Break Points

Answer 7

causes the program to run up to a point and then pause, allowing for variable inspection

Question 8

Check In

Answer 8

involves uploading a modified file after making changes locally

Question 9

Check Out

Answer 9

refers to process by which a developer or user acquires a copy of a specific version of a file

Question 10

Code Repository

Answer 10

these hold libraries of reusable code or data

Question 11

CASE

Answer 11

Computer-Aided Software Engineering

the name given to a range of software tools that aid the design, development and testing of different types of software

Question 12

Lower CASE

Answer 12

provides support in the later stages such as testing

Question 13

Upper CASE

Answer 13

provide support for the early stages of the system’s development life cycle, providing support for stages such as design

Question 14

Data Dictionary

Answer 14

a collection of data and attributes about data elements that are being used in a database, describing the meanings and purpose of data elements within the projects context and provides guidance on interpretation

Question 15

File

Answer 15

a data structure that is always stored on a device that is a collection of records

Question 16

Manual Testing

Answer 16

where a person manually tests programs for functionality and performance

Question 17

Memory Protection

Answer 17

a way to control memory access rights to a computer, where RAM is set up so that, by default, it cannot access various pieces of data without causing a memory error so that two programs cannot use the same memory location

Question 18

Performance Testing

Answer 18

carried out to ensure that a system will be able to cope with the required workload

Question 19

Roll-Back

Answer 19

allows software developers to undo changes made to a system and revert back to a previous version

Question 20

Run-Time Diagnostics

Answer 20

this creates a virtual machine that emulates a system that the program is designed for when it’s not specifically designed for that platform

Question 21

Screen Design Software

Answer 21

allows the design of screens

Question 22

Shared Memory

Answer 22

where memory protection does not occur but may lead to memory corruption if it is not made read-only

Question 23

Software Engineering

Answer 23

an engineering approach to software development and is the process of designing, developing, testing, and maintaining software systems, different to programming due to the focus on engineering, so a software engineer will involve more mathematic and scientific methods

Question 24

Step Through

Answer 24

steps through program one statement at a time, allowing faults in program logic to be identified

Question 25

Syntax Highlighting

Answer 25

displays code in different colours and fonts according to categories of terms

Question 26

System Testing

Answer 26

often carried out by a specialist testing team, who will check that the system as a whole works as required. System testers will not usually be involved in the development of individual programs

Question 27

Tagging Version

Answer 27

allows developers to assign a label to a specific point in history, serving as a reference point

Question 28

Text File

Answer 28

shares data in human readable format

Question 29

Unit Testing

Answer 29

often performed by the developer, and check that a program functions as required

Question 30

Variable Watch

Answer 30

the act of observing a specific variable whilst the program runs, which the programmer can do whilst using variable inspection

Question 31

Version Numbers

Answer 31

where previous versions are numbered in order to keep track of the current version

Question 32

Warning Messages

Answer 32

allow early detection of issues such as unused variables optimising performance

Question 33

Whitebox Testing

Answer 33

tester will feed data into a system that ensure that all path through the code are used and therefore testing

Question 34

Wire-Framing Software

Answer 34

help map out the user experience, layout, and overall flow, streamlining the design process