Deck 1 - Higher Computing - Software Design and Development

Question 1

Name the stages we normally work through when developing software.

Answer 1

• Analysis
• Design
• Implementation
• Testing
• Documentation
• Evaluation
• Maintenance (not in test)

Question 2

What are the two main methodologies for creating software?

Answer 2

• Iterative

- Agile

Question 3

What does iterative mean?

Answer 3

• Repeating steps over and over again

Question 4

What is the iterative development methodology?

Answer 4

• The Iterative Development Methodology involves completing all of the stages or development.
• If there are any issues, you start the whole process again.

Question 5

What is the agile development methodology?

Answer 5

• A way of developing software in a reactive and responsive way, with constant feedback with the client.
• Each stage of development can be iterated many times before moving on to the next stage.
• The client is involved throughout the whole process.
• The whole development team works closely together.
• The project is broken down into many short-term goals (sometimes called “sprints”) that the team works towards.

Question 6

How is agile development achieved?

Answer 6

• It is achieved with a very short feedback loop

Question 7

What is software that does not crash easily when given invalid data called?

Answer 7

• Robust

Question 8

What is a software-development methodology where active user involvement is imperative to gain feedback called?

Answer 8

• Agile

Question 9

What is software that solves the problem that it is required to solve in terms of usability and functionality requirements called?

Answer 9

• Fit for purpose

Question 10

What is software which can be easily adapted to changing requirements in the future called?

Answer 10

• Maintainable

Question 11

What is software that solves a problem without using an unnecessarily large amount of code called?

Answer 11

• Efficient

Question 12

What design methodology is suited to what scale of projects?

Answer 12

• The iterative method is better suited to large scale projects with strict deadlines
• Agile is better suited to projects that don’t have a clear scope and where client needs might change

Question 13

What is the analysis stage and what it is done through?

Answer 13

• During the analysis stage of software development, the analyst will discover exactly what the client needs
• The analysis is done through:
  
  • Interviews with the client
  • Questionnaires for the users
  • Observing the current system in use
  • Reading the documentation for the current system

Question 14

What is software specification?

Answer 14

• A legally binding contract between the client and the developer
• The software specification outlines:
  
  • Purpose
  • Scope
  • Boundaries
  • Functional requirements

Question 15

What is the scope (analysis)?

Answer 15

• The scope of your solution is a list of things you will deliver to the client as part of your project
• The scope can also include a timescale for delivery

Question 16

What are boundaries (analysis)?

Answer 16

• Boundaries define the limits of the program
• If the scope lists what IS included, the boundaries list what is NOT included
• These may be assumptions that the client could clarify before agreeing to the specification

Question 17

What are functional requirements?

Answer 17

• The functional requirements are a list of the features and functions of your program
• This can be listed in terms of inputs, processes and outputs

Question 18

What are the 5 data types?

Answer 18

• Character
• String
• Integer
• Real
• Boolean

Question 19

What are the 4 data structures?

Answer 19

• Arrays
• Parallel arrays
• Records
• Arrays of records