Introduction to Software Engineering

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Questions and Answers

What is a key benefit of using incremental and agile development for web-based systems?

It guarantees that all components will function perfectly on first release.

It allows for all requirements to be specified in advance.

It enables the delivery of software in smaller, manageable components. (correct)

It eliminates the need for pre-existing software components.

What do rich interfaces in web development primarily utilize?

Simple HTML and CSS only.

Advanced technologies like AJAX and HTML5. (correct)

Basic server-side scripting.

Static images and text-based layouts.

What is a significant ethical responsibility of software engineers regarding confidentiality?

Respecting the confidentiality of clients regardless of formal agreements. (correct)

Only respecting confidentiality when a written agreement exists.

Sharing information with other parties when deemed harmless.

Disregarding client confidentiality if it benefits a personal project.

In the context of professional responsibility, what should engineers avoid regarding their competence?

Taking on projects that exceed their technical knowledge. Signup and view all the answers

Which action could potentially violate ethical guidelines related to computer misuse?

Using company resources to play games during breaks. Signup and view all the answers

What primarily influences the maintenance costs of software compared to development costs?

The lifetime of the system Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors contributes to software project failures?

Lack of proper software engineering methods Signup and view all the answers

How do software engineering techniques impact system complexity?

They allow for the management of larger and more complex systems Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of software that distinguishes it from hardware?

Software can be easily replicated Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about software engineering ethics is TRUE?

Ethical considerations should guide all software development practices Signup and view all the answers

What does the increasing complexity of software systems indicate?

An increase in the need for rapid delivery and new capabilities Signup and view all the answers

Why can software costs dominate overall system costs?

Because software requires ongoing maintenance and support Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of good software?

It must deliver required functionality and performance. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes software engineering?

An engineering discipline related to all aspects of software production. Signup and view all the answers

What are the fundamental activities in software engineering?

Software specification, software development, validation, and software evolution. Signup and view all the answers

How does software engineering differ from computer science?

Software engineering focuses on practical software solutions rather than theory. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of systems engineering?

All aspects of computer-based system development including hardware and processes. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the key challenges facing software engineering today?

Coping with increasing diversity and demands for reduced delivery times. Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of software costs are attributed to development?

Roughly 60%. Signup and view all the answers

Why might a game development project employ a series of prototypes?

It allows for iterative design and user feedback. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding software engineering methods?

Different types of systems require tailored engineering techniques. Signup and view all the answers

Why is trust in software essential in today's society?

Because software influences all aspects of our lives. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes stand-alone applications?

They operate independently on a local computer. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of software application primarily controls hardware devices?

Embedded control systems Signup and view all the answers

Which factor most influences the choice of software engineering methods and tools?

The type of application being developed. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary feature of batch processing systems?

They perform data processing in large groups or batches. Signup and view all the answers

What influences the rapid development of software in emerging economies?

A need to change existing software solutions. Signup and view all the answers

How do embedded systems compare to other types of software systems?

They likely outnumber other types of systems. Signup and view all the answers

What type of applications can be classified as interactive transaction-based applications?

Web applications such as e-commerce platforms. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of software engineering diversity is highlighted in the content?

Different software systems require different methods. Signup and view all the answers

What are entertainment systems primarily designed for?

Providing personal amusement to users. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary difference between generic and customized software products?

Generic products are sold to any customer, while customized products are commissioned for specific needs. Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is not typically associated with good software attributes?

Portability Signup and view all the answers

How does software change relate to the attributes of maintainability?

Maintainability reflects the ability of software to evolve as customer needs change. Signup and view all the answers

The ownership of the software specification for generic products lies with which party?

The software development team Signup and view all the answers

What does 'dependability' in software refer to?

The predictability of software performance under various conditions Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is considered a 'generic' software product?

Software designed for medical appointment scheduling Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about security in software is accurate?

Dependable software must also ensure safety and reliability. Signup and view all the answers

What should software avoid to ensure efficiency?

Unnecessary resource consumption Signup and view all the answers

In the context of customized software, who owns the specification of the software’s functionality?

The customer who commissioned the software Signup and view all the answers

What is a common consequence of inadequate maintainability in software?

The software will not be able to adapt to changing requirements. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Introduction to Software & Software Engineering

The economies of all developed nations depend on software.
Systems are increasingly controlled by software.
Software engineering is focused on theories, methods, and tools for professional software development.
Expenditure on software is significant in developed countries.

Topics Covered

Software & Software Engineering
Software engineering ethics

Software Costs

Software costs often dominate computer system costs.
PC software costs are usually higher than hardware costs.
Software maintenance costs are often higher than development costs, especially for systems with long lifespans.
Software engineering prioritizes cost-effective software development.

Software Project Failure

Increasing system complexity, demands more complex systems built and delivered faster.
Failure to use software engineering methods leads to more expensive and less reliable software.

Software Products

Generic products:
- Stand-alone systems sold to any customer.
- Examples include PC software and sector-specific applications (e.g., dentist appointments).
Customised products:
- Systems commissioned to meet specific customer needs.
- Examples include embedded control systems and specialized monitoring systems.

Product Specification

Generic products:
- Software specifications are owned and controlled by the developer.
Customized products:
- Customer owns the specifications and controls changes.

Essential Attributes of Good Software

Maintainability: Software adapts to evolving user needs.
Dependability and security: Systems are reliable, secure, and safe.
Efficiency: Optimal use of system resources (memory, processing, etc.).
Acceptability: Software is understandable, usable, and compatible.

Software Engineering

Defines all aspects of the production process, from specification to maintenance.
Uses established theories and methods to solve problems and address organizational and financial constraints.
Considers more than just technical development processes but extends to project management and tools for software production.

Importance of Software Engineering

Societal reliance on advanced software systems necessitates efficient and reliable production.
Using engineering methods results in a cheaper and more reliable system in the long run rather than treating it as a programming project.

Software Process Activities

Software specification: Customers define software requirements and constraints.
Software development: Software design and programming.
Software validation: Check software to meet customer requirements.
Software evolution: Adapt software to changing needs.

General Issues Affecting Software

Heterogeneity: Distributed systems across diverse computer types (including mobile devices).
Business and social change: The need for rapid software adaptation to evolving business and technological advancements.
Security and trust: Software must be trustworthy due to its integration into daily lives.
Scale: Software must be adaptable to various scales, from embedded systems to global scale cloud-based systems.

Software Engineering Diversity

No single set of techniques fits all software systems.
Method and tool selection depends on the specifics of application, customers' needs, and the development team's experience.

Application Types

Stand-alone applications: Local computer applications.
Interactive transaction-based applications: Remote applications (e.g., websites and e-commerce), accessed through PCs or terminals.
Embedded control systems: Software systems controlling hardware devices, often more numerous than other types.
Batch processing systems: Business systems processing large batches of data.
Entertainment systems: Primarily for personal use, intended to entertain.
Systems for modeling and simulation: Used for scientific and engineering modeling of complex processes.
Data collection systems: Collects data from an environment via sensors and transmits it to another system for processing,
Systems of systems: Consisting of numerous other software systems.

Software Engineering Fundamentals

Development process should be managed and understood.
Dependability and performance are critical to all systems.
Software specification and requirements management are crucial.
Software reuse is encouraged when appropriate

Internet Software Engineering

Web is becoming a paramount platform for running applications.
Organizations are increasingly developing web-based systems instead of local systems.
Web services enable access to application functionality via the internet.
Cloud computing provides computer services where applications run remotely (on the "cloud").

Web-Based Software Engineering

Web systems are complex but still apply software engineering principles that apply to other types of systems.
Fundamental ideas of software engineering apply to web-based software similarly to other software systems.

Web Software Engineering

Software reuse is the predominant strategy for building web systems.
Web applications should be designed for incremental and agile development, since specifying all requirements in advance can be impractical.
Service-oriented systems may leverage independent web services.
Techniques like AJAX and HTML5 enable creating rich interactive web interfaces.

Software Engineering Ethics

Software engineering responsibilities go beyond just technical skills.
Software engineers must act honestly and ethically to be respected professionals.
Ethical behavior extends beyond the law, encompassing morally sound principles.

Issues of Professional Responsibility

Confidentiality: Respecting the confidentiality of employers/clients.
Competence: Not misrepresenting competence or accepting work beyond one's capability.
Intellectual property rights: Adhering to local laws concerning patents, copyrights, etc.
Computer misuse: Avoiding unethical or illegal use of computer systems.

ACM/IEEE Code of Ethics

Professional societies in the US have jointly created a code of ethics.
Members of these societies accept this code.
The code outlines eight principles regarding professional behavior for software engineers, educators, managers, supervisors, and policy makers.

Rationale for the Code of Ethics

Due to computers' central role in various aspects of society (commerce, industry, government), software engineers have immense opportunities for positive or negative impacts.
Software engineers must commit to using their skills for good and make the field of software engineering respected.

Ethical Principles

Public: Act in the public's best interest.
Client/Employer: Act in the best interests of clients and employers, while upholding public interest.
Product: Ensure products meet the highest professional standards.
Judgment: Maintain integrity and independence in professional judgment.
Management: Promote ethical management approaches for software development and maintenance.
Profession: Advance the profession's integrity and reputation.
Colleagues: Be respectful and supportive of colleagues.
Self: Engage in continuous learning and promote ethical practice.

Ethical Dilemmas

Disagreement with senior management policies.
Unethical employer actions involving safety-critical systems.
Participation in the development of military or nuclear weapons systems.

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Description

Explore the fundamental concepts of software and software engineering, emphasizing the importance of software development in modern economies. This quiz covers topics including software costs, project failures, and ethical considerations in the field. Understand how effective software engineering methods can enhance reliability and reduce costs.