Software Development

Question 1

What 7 stages should be completed when developing a new application?

Answer 1

1. Feasibility study
2. Requirements analysis
3. Design
4. Development
5. Testing
6. Documentation
7. Review/sign off

Question 2

Explain the first stage that should be taken when developing a new application

Answer 2

Feasibility study = determines whether the project is likely to be possible, worthwhile, cost-effective and legal. If any of these outcomes are missing the project should be avoided

Question 3

Explain the second stage that should be taken when developing a new application

Answer 3

Requirements Analysis = The users requirements for the project most be ascertained to ensure the developers understand exactly what the user wants from the software. A checklist of requirements is created which forms the basis of the design, development and testing of the software

Question 4

Explain the third stage that should be taken when developing a new application

Answer 4

Design = Project must be planned before coding. Modules, functions and procedures are planned in advance. UI designs are created, algorithms are developed and tested and database and file structures are decided

Question 5

Explain the fourth stage that should be taken when developing a new application

Answer 5

Development = Once design has been finalised, development can begin. Team of programmers working on Separate modules which are then combined to create the finished program

Question 6

Explain the fifth stage that should be taken when developing a new application

Answer 6

Testing = software is tested throughout development to ensure it does what it’s supposed to. Entire system will be tested as a whole once all modules are put together. Any bugs are passed back to developers to fix

Question 7

Explain the sixth stage that should be taken when developing a new application

Answer 7

Documentation = detailed user guide and instructions may be required to installation, usage and trouble-shooting of finished software. Code should also be fully documented and commented to ensure it can be maintained in the future

Question 8

Explain the seventh stage that should be taken when developing a new application

Answer 8

-Review/sign off = Once testing is complete the end user will test the software to ensure it works on their hardware. When the user is happy that all requirements have been met the project can be signed off as complete. Maintenance contract may also be in place

Question 9

What is the waterfall lifecycle?

Answer 9

• only advance to the next stage once the previous stage is complete
• You can also go up the waterfall if a previous stage needs altering
• Stages in order = requirements, analysis, design, coding, testing and maintenance

Question 10

+/- of waterfall lifecycle

Answer 10

+simple therefore easy to manage
+Everyone knows what they are doing at each stage
+As there is an expected output it is clear to see whether or not a project is running to schedule
+suitable for large scale projects
-High risk as it isn’t until the end stage that the user sees proper software therefore if requirements have not been met it will be hard and expensive to go all the way back and alter it
-Only suitable for straightforward tasks

Question 11

What are agile methodologies? +/-

Answer 11

-Refers to collection of different software development methods which are designed to cope with evolving project requirements and solutions
-iterative and allows projects to be flexible by adapting to changing requirements.
-Produced in versions each building on the previous and each increasing the requirements it meets. User can see software early on and ask for adaptations to be made
+Shorter development times and end product will meet exact requirements of user
+Good for complex tasks

Question 12

What is pair programming?

Answer 12

• Two programmers work together on a single workstation
• The “driver” writes the code wh silt they “navigator” reviews each line of code as it is types and considers the strategic direction of the code
• Roles are frequently switched

Question 13

What is extreme programming?

Answer 13

• Type of agile software dev in which the focus is on the programming
• Purpose is to improve the quality of the software and be more responsive to changing customer requirements
• Iterative process in which user is heavily involved. Iterations are very short with frequency checkpoints to allow additional user requirements. Each iteration produces a full version of the system that can be used in final product
• Requirements are drip fed to developers rather than being dumped onto them which makes process more flexible
• Example of pair programming

Question 14

+/- of extreme programming

Answer 14

\+cost effective
\+less dependent on individuals 
\+robust solutions 
\+Meets exact requirements
-requires constant end see involvement 
-no quality assurance of coding
-code-centred means often poorly documented

Question 15

What is the spiral model?

Answer 15

• Similar to the waterfall model but places a greater emphasis on risk analysis
• Consists of four iterative phases; planning, risk analysis, engineering and evaluation
• Software project repeatedly passes through these phases in iterations
• Used when cost and risk evaluation is important. If the project is very risky or when there are potential changes to economic priorities. Also used when user is unsure of needs or requirements are complex

Question 16

Explain each phase of the spiral model

Answer 16

• Planning = user requirements gathered and approach on how to meet them is decided
• Risk analysis = possible risks are identified and alternate solutions are addressed. Prototypes are produced, if any risks are found alternative solutions are suggested and implemented
• Product development = software development and testing
• Evaluation = End user evaluation of the project so far. Plan next iteration of product

Question 17

+/- of spiral model

Answer 17

+reduced risk due to high amount of risk analysis
+suitable for large and mission-critical projects
+good documentation control
+additional functionality can be added at a later date
+software is produced early in the software life cycle
-can be costly
-risk analysis requires highly specific expertise
-projects success is dependent on the risk analysis
-not suitable for smaller projects

Question 18

What is Rapid Application Development?

Answer 18

-Method of designing and writing software that includes producing successive prototype versions of the software until the final version is produced
-fits closely with spiral model
-Three steps are repeated with each cycle lasting 1-3 weeks (longer than XP).
The steps are; produce prototype with reduced functionality, reviewed by end user who may suggest changes and improved prototype is created & reviewed

Question 19

+/- of RAD?

Answer 19

+End user involvement in development process allows for flexibility/changes in user requirements
+prototyping means tangible products can be seen at early stages of the project
+length of dev time is shorter than waterfall model
-not efficient when dealing with very large scale projects
-focuses on end result rather than processing thus producing solution which may be inefficient.
-Client may keep changing their minds on what they want product to do

Question 20

What is black box testing?

Answer 20

• Different sets of input data are tested to see if they produce the expected output. Not concerned about what is happening within the code
• sets of test data are carefully chosen to represent all possible scenarios. Valid, invalid and borderline data

Question 21

What is white box testing?

Answer 21

• Algorithm in the code is tested to check that all parts of the code work as intended
• Every possible route or path of execution through the program Is identified and tested

Question 22

What is alpha testing?

Answer 22

• Testing carried out by a restricted group within the company acting as though they were potential users
• Any bugs found are reported and fixed quickly

Question 23

What is beta testing?

Answer 23

• Program is nearly complete and is realised to potential users outside the company to test it in normal operating conditions
• If there are still any bugs which the programs had not anticipated these are reported to the company

Question 24

What is acceptance testing?

Answer 24

• Program is now complete and it is demod to the end user. The purpose is to show that it works correctly and all desired features are implemented
• The program is tested against the requirements which were agreed between the end user and the programmers