INTRODUCTION Flashcards
What is Software?
Computer programs and associated documentation such as requirements, design models and user manuals.
What are the two types of software products?
Generic - developed to be sold to a range of different customers e.g. PC software such as Excel or Word.
Bespoke (custom) - developed for a single customer according to their specification.
What are the different ways software is developed?
New software can be created by developing new programs, configuring generic software systems or reusing existing software
What are the different types of software?
Application software (programs that do the work that users are directly interested in - for example Word).
System software (programs that help the integration of all the constituent components of the computer into a system –for example Operating Systems and search engines).
Utilities (programs that are used to perform routine operations in a computer - for example Antivirus Software and File Management System.).
What is software engineering?
The application of a systematic, disciplined, quantifiable approach to the development, operation, and maintenance of software.
What are the benefits of software engineering?
It makes it easier to manage software development (in many ways cost management, team management, quality assurance management, schedule management for timely release).
It enables the reusability and duplication of experience, effort and even some deliverables in the project.
It enables the creation of software standards for development efforts across many platforms.
Raises software quality.
What is the difference between software engineering and system engineering?
System engineering is concerned with all aspects of computer-based systems development including hardware, software and process engineering. Software engineering is part of this process concerned with developing the software infrastructure, control, applications and databases in the system.
System engineers are involved in system specification, architectural design, integration and deployment.
Give some examples of process perspectives for system modelling
Workflow perspective - sequence of activities;
Data-flow perspective - information flow;
Role/action perspective - who does what.
What do the costs of software engineering depend on?
Costs vary depending on the type of system being developed and the requirements of system attributes such as performance and system reliability.
Distribution of costs depends on the development model that is used.
Give the characteristics of the traditional approach to software development.(8)
The development efforts were not structured - some times it could be done by an individual single-handedly, and at other times by a group of programmers.
There were no metrics whosoever of the software - what it cost, how much effort was needed, approx. time it would take to develop, its quality and how it was being addressed, how well it worked for users etc.
Deployment was freestyle.
Bugs took a lot of time to be identified and fixed
Software was released/deployed without any timelines and with no organizational impact assessment.
Documentation was poor, if any existed.
Maintenance was poor, and the software had a poor lifecycle if any.
Due to the free-style approach, it was very difficult to reuse code.
Give the characteristics of the software engineering to software development (10)
The software development efforts are spearheaded by TEAMS(composed of programmers, Systems analysts, Project manager, Database Designers etc).
Users are consulted time and again regarding features and functionalities they desire in the new software.
The development efforts are very structured - each team player has a very distinct and unique role to play in the whole exercise.
There are a number of metrics, and there are personnel in the teams to look out for such - what it will cost and whether the project is within budget, how much effort will be needed
Deployment is very much structured - every implementation aspect is scheduled; from training user needs, installation of databases, test runs etc.
Bugs can be quickly identified and fixed since the system’s quality and performance is measured against already defined user needs.
Software products are released within predetermined timelines and with lots of organizational impact assessment.
Documentation is a must; it is a continuous process, which gives a snapshot of the whole development of the software.
Maintenance is very easy and systematic.
Due to the formal approach, it is very easy to reuse code.
What are software engineering methods?
Structured approaches to software development which include system models, notations, rules, design advice and process guidance.
Model descriptions- Descriptions of graphical models which should be produced;
Rules- Constraints applied to system models;
Recommendations- Advice on good design practice;
Process guidance- What activities to follow.
What are CASE tools?
Computer-Aided Software Engineering tools
Software systems that are intended to provide automated support for software process activities.
CASE tools are often used for method support.
What are the two types of CASE tools?
Upper-CASE tools- Support the early process activities of requirements and design.
Lower-CASE tools- Support later activities such as programming, debugging and testing
What are the attributes of good software?
Maintainability- Software must evolve to meet changing needs;
Dependability- Software must be trustworthy;
Efficiency- Software should not make wasteful use of system resources;
Acceptability- Software must be accepted by the users for which it was designed. This means it must be understandable, usable and compatible with other systems.
