Ch01-SDLC

Question 1

What is the definition of a process in the context of systems?

Answer 1

Activities, procedures, and operations that act on inputs to convert them into a form that can achieve the system’s goal

Examples include manufacturing steps, algorithms, calculations, decision-making, or chemical reactions.

Question 2

What are the outputs of a system?

Answer 2

Finished products, services, or information released back into the environment

Examples include a manufactured good, a completed report, a decision, heat energy, or waste.

Question 3

What is the role of feedback in a system?

Answer 3

Information about the system’s output that is fed back into the process or input stage to evaluate and control its performance

It acts as a control mechanism to maintain stability and adjust behavior.

Question 4

What is negative feedback?

Answer 4

Works to dampen or reverse deviations from the desired goal

Example: A thermostat turning off the heat when the target temperature is reached.

Question 5

What is positive feedback?

Answer 5

Works to amplify or increase a deviation

Example: A microphone picking up its own sound and getting louder.

Question 6

Define information in the context of information systems.

Answer 6

Data that has been processed, organized, structured, or presented in a given context to make it meaningful and useful

Raw data is unorganized facts, while information has context and meaning.

Question 7

What are the characteristics of quality information?

Answer 7

• Completeness
• Relevance
• Timeliness
• Accuracy

These characteristics ensure that information is useful for decision-making.

Question 8

What is an Information System (IS)?

Answer 8

An integrated set of components for collecting, storing, processing, and distributing information to support decision-making

It aids in coordination, control, analysis, and visualization in an organization.

Question 9

List the components of an Information System.

Answer 9

• People
• Hardware
• Software
• Data (Information)
• Procedures

Each component plays a critical role in the functionality of the IS.

Question 10

What is the purpose of a Transaction Processing System (TPS)?

Answer 10

To perform and record daily routine transactions necessary to conduct business

Examples include sales, payments, deposits, and payroll.

Question 11

What is the role of a Management Information System (MIS)?

Answer 11

Summarizes and reports on the company’s basic operations using data supplied by TPS

It provides middle managers with structured, fixed, recurring reports.

Question 12

What does a Decision Support System (DSS) do?

Answer 12

Summarizes and reports on operations and helps in problem-solving and generating solutions to unique problems

Examples include logistics for efficient delivery routes and financial planning.

Question 13

What is the purpose of an Executive Information System (EIS)?

Answer 13

To address strategic issues and long-term trends, providing high-level, summarized data for senior executives

It focuses on external data like market trends and competitor performance.

Question 14

What is the function of Knowledge Management Systems (KMS)?

Answer 14

Stores and shares organizational knowledge, including best practices and procedures

Examples include company wikis and databases of solved customer issues.

Question 15

What is Information Gathering?

Answer 15

The systematic process of identifying, locating, collecting, and recording data from various sources

It is the initial step that feeds raw data into an Information System.

Question 16

What are the methods of Information Gathering?

Answer 16

• Observation
• Interviews
• Surveys/Questionnaires
• Document Analysis
• Sensor Data

Each method serves to collect data in different ways.

Question 17

What is the Software Engineering definition?

Answer 17

An engineering discipline concerned with all facets of software production, from conception to deployment and maintenance

It applies systematic approaches to design, develop, test, and maintain software.

Question 18

What are the key goals of Software Engineering?

Answer 18

• Meet User Requirements
• Produce High-Quality Software
• Deliver On Time and Within Budget
• Ensure Maintainability

These goals guide the development process.

Question 19

What are the main attributes of Software Engineering?

Answer 19

• Efficiency
• Reusability
• Reliability
• Maintainability

These attributes ensure the software product meets quality standards.

Question 20

What is the principle of Modularity in Software Engineering?

Answer 20

Breaking the software into smaller, reusable components that can be developed and tested independently

This approach enhances manageability and reduces complexity.

Question 21

What does the term Software Crisis refer to?

Answer 21

Challenges faced in developing large, complex software systems, including cost overruns and poor quality

It led to the formalization of Software Engineering as a discipline.

Question 22

What are the core responsibilities of a Software Engineer?

Answer 22

• Analysis
• Design
• Development
• Testing
• Maintenance

These responsibilities ensure the software meets user needs and quality standards.

Question 23

What is the formalization of Software Engineering as a discipline a response to?

Answer 23

The crisis that made modification prohibitively expensive

This crisis established the need for structured methodologies in software development.

Question 24

What does the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) define?

Answer 24

The entire process of software production, from the initial idea to final deployment and maintenance

The goal is to produce high-quality software that meets customer expectations.

Question 25

Name the **six core stages** of the SDLC.

Answer 25

* Planning and Requirement Analysis * Defining Requirements (SRS) * Design * Implementation * Testing * Deployment and Installation ## Footnote These stages provide a structured approach to software development.

Question 26

What is the purpose of the **Feasibility Study** in the SDLC?

Answer 26

Determines if the proposed project is realistic and beneficial ## Footnote It examines technical, economic, and operational feasibility.

Question 27

What are the **key activities** in the Planning and Requirement Analysis stage?

Answer 27

* Identify Need/Problem * Determine Scope * Resource Allocation * Feasibility Study Initiation ## Footnote This phase sets the foundation for the entire project.

Question 28

What is the **Software Requirements Specification (SRS)**?

Answer 28

A document that formally specifies and validates the requirements of the system ## Footnote It must be clear, concise, and unambiguous.

Question 29

What are the two types of **requirements** in software development?

Answer 29

* Functional Requirements (FRs) * Non-Functional Requirements (NFRs) ## Footnote FRs specify what the system does, while NFRs specify how well it does it.

Question 30

What is the goal of the **Design phase** in the SDLC?

Answer 30

Translate requirements into a conceptual structure defining the overall organization of the system ## Footnote This includes defining data structure, system components, and technology stack.

Question 31

What does the **Implementation phase** focus on?

Answer 31

Translating design specifications into executable code ## Footnote It ensures code quality, readability, and maintainability.

Question 32

What is the difference between **Verification** and **Validation** in testing?

Answer 32

* Verification: Are we building the product right? * Validation: Are we building the right product? ## Footnote Verification checks adherence to design, while validation checks user needs.

Question 33

What are the **levels of testing** in the SDLC?

Answer 33

* Unit Testing * Integration Testing * System Testing * Acceptance Testing ## Footnote Testing progresses from individual components to the entire system.

Question 34

What are the **key deployment activities** in the Deployment phase?

Answer 34

* Release Planning * Environment Preparation * Data Migration * Installation and Configuration ## Footnote These activities ensure the software is ready for use.

Question 35

What is the purpose of **maintenance** in the software lifecycle?

Answer 35

Ensure the system continues to operate correctly and adapt to changes ## Footnote Maintenance often consumes 60-70% of the total cost of ownership.

Question 36

What are the **types of systems** based on interaction with the environment?

Answer 36

* Open System * Closed System * Isolated System ## Footnote Each type describes the extent of interaction with the environment.

Question 37

What is the **Single Responsibility Principle (SRP)**?

Answer 37

A class should have only one reason to change ## Footnote This principle is part of the SOLID principles for object-oriented programming.

Question 38

What is the goal of **User Interface (UI) Design**?

Answer 38

Focus on usability, accessibility, and aesthetics ## Footnote Often involves wireframes and prototypes.

Question 39

What is the **definition** of a **Physical (or Concrete) System**?

Answer 39

Tangible entities that we can touch and feel, can be static or dynamic ## Footnote Examples include a car, a computer hardware unit, a bridge, and the human body.

Question 40

What is the **definition** of an **Abstract (or Conceptual) System**?

Answer 40

Non-physical entities or conceptual models, often consisting of formulas or representations ## Footnote Examples include a mathematical equation, a computer program's logic, a philosophical theory, and a stock market model.

Question 41

What is the difference between a **Natural System** and a **Manufactured (or Human-Activity) System**?

Answer 41

* Natural System: Created by nature without human intervention * Manufactured System: Designed and built by people, can be physical or abstract ## Footnote Examples of natural systems include the Solar System and an ecological system; examples of manufactured systems include a dam and a computer operating system.

Question 42

What is an **Adaptive System**?

Answer 42

Systems that respond to changes in their environment to improve performance or chances of survival ## Footnote Examples include human beings and control systems with feedback loops.

Question 43

What is a **Non-Adaptive System**?

Answer 43

Systems that do not modify their behavior in response to changes in the environment ## Footnote Examples include a simple machine without sensors or a calculator that performs a fixed set of operations.

Question 44

What are the **inputs** in a system?

Answer 44

The resources, information, or energy that the system takes in from its external environment ## Footnote Examples include raw materials, human effort, energy, data, money, or time.

Question 45

What is the **goal of maintenance** in the software development life cycle?

Answer 45

* Ensure the system continues to operate correctly * Adapt the system to changing external environments * Improve system capabilities and performance based on user feedback ## Footnote Maintenance is an ongoing process that often consumes 60-70% of the total cost of ownership.

Question 46

What are the **types of maintenance** in software development?

Answer 46

* Corrective: Fixing bugs * Adaptive: Modifying for environmental changes * Perfective: Enhancing quality * Preventive: Increasing future reliability ## Footnote Each type addresses different aspects of software upkeep.

Question 47

What are the **six core stages** of the **Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)**?

Answer 47

* Planning * Analysis * Design * Development * Testing * Deployment ## Footnote These stages guide the planning, execution, and delivery of software projects.

Question 48

What is the **difference between software engineering and computer science**?

Answer 48

* Computer Science: Focuses on theory and fundamentals * Software Engineering: Concerned with practicalities of developing and delivering software ## Footnote This distinction highlights the different focuses of each field.

Question 49

What are the **key challenges** facing software engineering?

Answer 49

* Coping with increasing diversity * Demands for reduced delivery times * Developing trustworthy software ## Footnote These challenges impact the effectiveness and efficiency of software development.

Question 50

What are the **common models** of the Software Development Life Cycle?

Answer 50

* Waterfall * Agile * Prototyping * Spiral * Incremental * Rapid Application Development (RAD) ## Footnote Each model provides a different approach to software development.

Question 51

What percentage of software costs are typically attributed to **development costs** and **testing costs**?

Answer 51

* Development Costs: Roughly 60% * Testing Costs: 40% ## Footnote For custom software, evolution costs often exceed development costs.

Question 52

What is **software evolution**?

Answer 52

The continuous process of updating and enhancing the system, often triggering a return to the requirements phase for a new iteration ## Footnote This process is essential for maintaining relevance and functionality.

Question 53

Fill in the blank: The **Post-Deployment Phase** in the SDLC is primarily focused on _______.

Answer 53

Maintenance and Evolution ## Footnote This phase ensures the system continues to operate correctly and adapts to changes.