SLR6 - Software Development

Question 1

Describe the waterfall model

Answer 1

A simplistic model where stages of development happen consecutively and are clearly defined.

1. Clear end and start points. Each stage is started once the previous one is complete.
2. Earlier stages may need to be reworked

Question 2

Describe the Rapid Application Development model

Answer 2

A model which produces prototypes of a system until the user approves the final version.

1. Prototypes are continually made and refined according to client feedback.
2. When the client is happy with the functionality of the program it enters the maintenance stage.

Question 3

Describe the Spiral Model

Answer 3

A model which prioritises risk and splits development into four quadrants.

1. Objectives are determined.
2. Risks are identified and alternatives considered
3. Project is made and tested
4. Output of stage 3 is evaluated and the next iteration of the spiral is decided.

Question 4

Give some advantages and disadvantages of the waterfall model

Answer 4

Advantages:
1. Simple.
2. Easy to manage as everyone has a set role.
3. Stages and transitions and clearly defined.
4. Easy to keep to a set timescale.
Disadvantages:
1. Not flexible
2. High risk factor due to the client only seeing the project at the testing stage
3. User is not a part of the development
4. Requirements must be clear from the start

Question 5

Give some advantages and disadvantages of the RAD model

Answer 5

Advantages:
1. More suited to projects where the requirements are initially unclear
2. Clients feels very involved
3. Continuous feedback from the client results in very good usability.
Disadvantages:
1. Frequent user contact needed
2. Doesn’t scale well to large teams
3. Code will become inefficient as usability is the main focus.

Question 6

Give some advantages and disadvantages of the Spiral model

Answer 6

Advantages:
1. Deals with risk directly as one of the four quadrants
2. Works well with large, high risk projects
Disadvantages:
1. Risk management is a very specialised skill and therefore can be very expensive.

Question 7

Define and describe the SDLC

Answer 7

Systems Development Lifecycle
The phases required to write a computer program including:
Feasibility, Requirements, Analysis, Design, Implementation, Testing and Installation planning, evaluation and maintenance.

Question 8

Describe Extreme Programming

Answer 8

A type of agile methodology where software is produced in short iterations ad an embedded user provides instant feedback for the next iteration.

Question 9

Describe Agile Methodologies

Answer 9

A group of methods where requirements can constantly change during development and the product is produced in iterations, checked by the client for functionality.

Question 10

Name the 3 types of test data

Answer 10

Valid
Invalid
Borderline

Question 11

Describe Valid test data

Answer 11

Data the user is expected to input

Question 12

Describe Invalid test data

Answer 12

Data which should generate an error if input

Question 13

Describe Borderline test data

Answer 13

Data close to boundaries

Question 14

Define an algorithm

Answer 14

The logical steps needed to solve a given problem expressed in either pseudo code or a flow diagram.

Question 15

Define White box testing

Answer 15

Carried out by developers to check functionality and efficiency of code as it is written.

Question 16

Define Black Box testing

Answer 16

Carried out by the testing team to check all inputs give the expected outputs, regardless of efficiency.

Question 17

Define Alpha testing

Answer 17

Carried out by people within the company who haven’t worked on the project.

Question 18

Define Beta testing

Answer 18

Carried out by a small group of users from outside the company to test for bugs or usability issues.

Question 19

Define Acceptance testing

Answer 19

The final stage of testing where the user checks that the product meets all the requirements in the specification.