🟣| Programming - Theory

Question 1

Development Methodologies:

What does the iterative process involve?

2

Answer 1

• Programmers move from stage to stage in order, only revisiting stages where necessary and a problem is discovered
• It is a very structured process and clients are only communicated with at the beginning and end of development

Question 2

What does the agile process involve?

2

Answer 2

• Uses ‘sprints’ which are periods of planned analysis, design, implementation and testing of a particular aspect of software
• It is a flexible process that is based on team work and daily communication which is suited to small, short term projects rather than larger scale projects

Question 3

Development Methodologies:

Iterative Strengths

2

Answer 3

• Good for large teams - helps to plan and track large software projects
• Clear agreement on outcomes at start of project

Question 4

Development Methodologies:

Iterative Weaknesses

2

Answer 4

• Very rigid approach does not deal well with mid-project changes
• Little involvement of client after analysis

Question 5

Development Methodologies:

Agile Strengths

2

Answer 5

• Ongoing testing and evaluation
• Ongoing involvement of client allows changes to be agreed quickly

Question 6

Development Methodologies:

Agile Weaknesses

2

Answer 6

• Needs close version control and tracking of changes
• Can be more difficult to predict the longer term goals of the project, and the final product may not look anything like the initial concept.

Question 7

Design:

What is top down, stepwise refinement?

2

Answer 7

• Any main steps from the design are known as the top down design
• These main steps are usually broken down further into step by step instructions known as stepwise refinements, which helps the programmer break down the program into manageable modules

Question 8

What criteria is evaluated in a program?

5

Answer 8

• Fitness for purpose
• Efficient use of coding constructs
• Usability
• Maintainability
• Robustness

Question 9

Evaluation:

Fitness for purpose

Answer 9

If the software functions as specified in the software specification

Question 10

Evaluation:

Efficient use of coding constructs

Answer 10

If the most appropriate constructs/data types have been used

Question 11

Evaluation:

Usability

Answer 11

The ease of the user interface to use and learn

Question 12

Evaluation:

Maintainability

Answer 12

If changes can be made easily and quickly to allow for future upgrades

Question 13

Evaluation:

Robustness

Answer 13

If the program can cope with abnormal or unexpected inputs without crashing