Topic 1) System Fundamentals Flashcards

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1
Q

What considerations need to be made when changing a software system?

A
  • Extent of the change
  • Limitations of the new system
  • Context in which the organisation will use the new system:
    ~ Organisational Issues
    ~ Change in User Roles
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2
Q

What challenges may be faced when changing software systems?

A
  • Users dont like the change
  • Some features of the new system may be ignored or not used
  • Old system(s) may be faster
  • Incompatibility issues with other software
  • Data loss
  • Expensive
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3
Q

What methods are there of changing software systems?

A

Direct
Parallel
Pilot
Phased

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4
Q

What are the Pro’s and Con’s of a Direct Changeover?

A

+ Swift changeover, New system is available immediately
- No backup in case of failure

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5
Q

What are the Pro’s and Con’s of Parallel Changeover?

A

+ Backup available if the new system fails, Outputs from both systems can be compared so the new system can be tested to see if it works properly
- Running both systems is expensive

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6
Q

What are the Pro’s and Con’s of Pilot Changeover?

A

+ All features can be tested before the whole organisation, staff can train other staff, only small parts of the organisation are affected if anything goes wrong
- No backup for pilot group

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7
Q

What are the Pro’s and Con’s of Phased Changeover?

A

+ Allows people to get used to the new system, training can be completed in stages
- If the system fails, there is no backup.

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8
Q

What is Data Migration?

A

Moving data from one system to another
Can be a huge process depending on the size of the system
Necessary when transitioning to new system

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9
Q

What are some problems that can occur during Data Migration?

A

Incompatible File Formats
–> different systems may use different versions of the same software, in different file formats
Data Structure Differences
–> ie. Data may be stored in arrays in one system but linked lists in another
Validation Rules
–> One system may be less strict than the other
Incomplete Data Transfers
–> Some data may be lost in transfer, or the process may be interrupted
Different data, currency or character conventions
–> Dates, Currencies and Languages all affect the format in which data is stored.

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10
Q

What are Legacy Systems?

A

Old tech which is no longer supported and/or available for purchase
Modernisation of these systems may be expensive or time-consuming
ie. Floppy disks, Windows XP

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11
Q

What is Local SAAS Software?

A

Runs on the computer

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12
Q

What is Remote SAAS Software?

A

Accessed through a web browser

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13
Q

What are the Pro’s to SAAS?

A

Employees can operate software from anywhere
Cheaper
Fewer support staff necessary
Pay as you go
Scaling up or down depending on users
Easy to maintain

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14
Q

What is the difference between Local and Remote SAAS Software?

A

Local:
One time fee
Has to be installed to the OS
Updates not automatic
Multiple versions
Only used on one computer

Remote:
Subscription fee
Can be used across numerous devices
Automated updates
Users are always using the same version

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15
Q

What are the Con’s to SAAS?

A

Users have no control over availability of systems
Users have no control over systems
User has no control over the system
Large-scale data corruption is possible

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16
Q

What are the differnt types of testing?

A
  • Static Testing
  • Dynamic Testing
  • Alpha Testing
  • Beta Testing
  • Black Box Testing
  • White Box Testing
  • User Acceptance Testing
  • Automated Testing
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17
Q

What is Static Testing?

A

Examining documentation, planned specs, test plans
Ensures documes will lead to the correct system being built
Documents are verified

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18
Q

What is Dynamic Testing?

A

Code gets executed
Makes sure code produced is the required result
Checks for bugs
Ensures the software meets the business requirements
And ensures the software runs as required

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19
Q

What is Alpha Testing?

A

Testing that is completed by an internal team
Lasting months
Confirms that the software works as it should
Looks for bugs or UI issues that need fixing

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20
Q

What is Beta Testing?

A

Used by potential end-users outside of the company
Lasting weeks (Done before release to the public)
Seeks to model the real-world environment
Seeks to get feedback from users
Uses feedback to fix bugs and make software more useable

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21
Q

What is Black Box Testing?

A

Testing of the software by using it
No acess to code or inerworkings

22
Q

What is White Box Testing?

A

Testing a software’s code to ensure it works
Programming knowledge is required and this is done by programmers

23
Q

What is User Acceptance Testing?

A

End-user testing
Product is tested by the intended users

24
Q

What is Automated Testing?

A

Uses automated testing software to test preconstructedly
The program output automatically compared to the expected output
Can rapidly complete tedious and complex tasks

25
Q

What are the different types of user documentation?

A

Manual, Online, Help files.

26
Q

What is Manual user documentation, and its Pros and Cons?

A

A paper manual, booklet or pamphlet.
++ Doesn’t require installation, computer or an internet connection
– can be damaged or lost, cannot be updated

27
Q

What is Online user documentation, and its Pros and Cons?

A

PDF’s, websites and videos
++ Can be much longer than manual, updated easily, has search capabilities.
– Internet required, can be difficult for inexperienced users

28
Q

What are Help files and what are the Pros and Cons?

A

Locally accessed programs, that display text
++ Easily accessible in the software program, contain general instructions, easy access
– Requires installation first, difficult for inexperienced users, lacks search capability

29
Q

What are methods of user training?

A
  • In person classes
  • Online
  • Self-instruction
30
Q

What are the Pros and Cons of In-Person classes?

A

++ Cheap
– Less personalised, students may become bored or lost or lose pace

31
Q

What are the Pros and Cons of Online Training?

A

++ Can be more personalised, focuses on the needs of students via online instructor
– Can be more expensive

32
Q

What are the Pros and Cons of Self-instruction?

A

++ Low-cost, flexible timeline, users can choose what to focus on
– No guidance, users may feel lost, lack of structure

33
Q

What are the main causes of Data Loss?

A

Hardware/System Malfuntions
Human Error
Software Corruption
Malicious Software (Viruses etc)
National Disasters (Power cuts etc)

34
Q

What are some ways of preventing Data Loss?

A

Failover Systems
Redundancy
Removeable Media
Physical Security

35
Q

What are stakeholders?

A

A person with an interest or concern in something. ie company owner, users, managers, shareholders, employees

36
Q

What are methods of getting requirements for a software? (for the developer)

A

Direct Observation
Interviews
Surveys

37
Q

What are the Pros and Cons of Direct observation?

A

++ Opportunity to see users using product
– Users may act differently under observation

38
Q

What are the Pros and Cons of Interviews?

A

++ Asking users for direct feedback can be insightful
– Costly in time and resources

39
Q

What are Pros and Cons of Surveys?

A

++ Cheap and time-efficient
– Hard to think of good questions, users may not take it seriously

40
Q

What are Prototypes?

A

A plan or abstract representation of the end-product
Usually not fully finished, and display functionality or key aspects. They’re used to get feedback from stakeholders

41
Q

What is Iteration?

A

A cyclical process ending in a finished product.
The process of prototyping, testing, analysing, and refining the product until the requirements are met.

42
Q

What are the methods of Software Deployment?

A
  • Release
  • Update
  • Patch
43
Q

What is Release?

A

The process of launching a new product

44
Q

What is Update?

A

A software file that fixes a problem found after release. Ie a Bug or Security Vulnerability

45
Q

What is a Patch?

A

Temporary fix between full releases
Ie, for a bug or Security, upgrade capabilites and upgrade drivers

46
Q

What is usability?

A

How effectively and efficiently a product can be used

47
Q

What are some examples of Usability problems?

A

Laptop- battery life is too short
Phone- small screen size, buggy software
Digital Camera- buggy software and teeny buttons.

48
Q

How can you improve usability?

A

Braille Keyboards
Touch Screen
Voice Recognition
Text Dictation

49
Q

What are some usability problems which may occur in a system?

A
  • What could happen if someone can’t access the system?
  • What could happen if they can only access certain parts?
  • What happens if they misunderstand what the system requires as an input?
  • What could happen if they can’t access the output?
50
Q

What are some moral issues which may occur due to the implications of interactions between humans and machines?

A
  • Death
  • Disadvantaging a group of peoples
  • Freedom / Restriction
  • Gambling
  • Social Constructs (marriage/divorce)
51
Q

What are some economic issues which may occur due to the implications of interactions between humans and machines?

A
  • Generating income
  • Costs
  • Wealth
  • Working
52
Q

What are some environmental issues which may occur due to the implications of interactions between humans and machines?

A
  • Global warming
  • E-waste
  • Plastic waste
  • Power Generation
  • Fuel/batteries
  • Loss of habitat
  • Dangerous chemicals