Software Development and Systems Design

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Questions and Answers

What is the first step in the system testing process?

Unit testing

User acceptance testing

System functional testing (correct)

Integration testing

Which type of testing involves engaging store managers and warehouse staff for feedback?

Integration testing

System functional testing

User acceptance testing (correct)

Unit testing

Which is NOT a method of gathering detailed information in the systems analysis activities?

Observing business processes

Interviews

Questionnaires

Market research (correct)

What is one key benefit of Agile development?

Flexibility and frequent feedback Signup and view all the answers

In the requirements prioritization phase, what does the category 'Nice-to-Have' indicate?

Desirable features that enhance usability Signup and view all the answers

What does unit testing involve?

Testing individual parts of the system Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT an example of a non-functional requirement?

User navigation flow Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of developing user-interface dialogs?

Designing user interaction flow Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of systems design?

Implementing the technical details Signup and view all the answers

Which activity is NOT part of the System Development Life Cycle (SDLC)?

Designing marketing strategies Signup and view all the answers

During which stage of the software development process is the solution confirmed to meet the need?

Confirm that the solution meets the need Signup and view all the answers

What is included in the detailed design of components for an inventory management module?

Tables to display inventory data Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of systems design involves creating user screen mockups?

User Interface (UI) design Signup and view all the answers

Which step is crucial for planning and monitoring a project in SDLC?

Identifying the problem Signup and view all the answers

What methodology is most commonly used in today's system development processes?

Iterative development Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'Project' refer to in the context of information systems?

A planned undertaking with a defined result Signup and view all the answers

What is one reason for modeling in system design?

To ensure all aspects of the system are remembered Signup and view all the answers

Which technique is used to identify use cases from user goals?

User Goal Technique Signup and view all the answers

How should use cases be named according to the given convention?

Using Verb-Noun format Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a step in the User Goal Technique?

Interview users to gather specific goals Signup and view all the answers

What should be done after creating preliminary use cases?

Resolve duplicates and inconsistencies Signup and view all the answers

What does the event decomposition technique help with?

Breaking down the system based on events Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to communicate with users and stakeholders?

To ensure understanding of system functionalities Signup and view all the answers

What is a decomposed use case?

An activity the system performs in response to a request Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a use case for temporal events?

Generate Monthly Payroll Report Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following events is an example of a state event?

Create a new course section when the waitlist reaches 20 students Signup and view all the answers

What principle should be applied to focus analysis on event-related functions?

Perfect Technology Assumption Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT emphasized in the analysis of event-driven technology?

System error handling Signup and view all the answers

What does a Generalization relation illustrate in use case modeling?

A specialized use case achieves goals expressed by a more general use case Signup and view all the answers

In the context of an event-driven approach, what does 'Right-Level Decomposition' refer to?

Breaking down processes into elementary business processes Signup and view all the answers

What action should NOT be included in the initial analysis of event-driven technology?

Handling system errors Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following captures both temporal and state events in a broader sense?

Event-Driven Technology (EDT) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a Use Case Diagram in UML?

To visually depict use cases and their relationships with actors. Signup and view all the answers

What differentiates Primary Actors from other actors in a use case context?

They initiate use cases and interact with the system to achieve goals. Signup and view all the answers

What does the System Boundary in a Use Case Diagram signify?

The limits of the application distinguishing internal from external elements. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of the Event Decomposition Technique, what type of event is triggered by an action or request from outside the system?

External Event Signup and view all the answers

How would a Temporal Event be characterized in the Event Decomposition Technique?

Triggered at specific time intervals or deadlines. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Automation Boundary illustrate in a system design?

The separation between computerized components and user-managed parts. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key step in applying the Event Decomposition Technique?

Naming use cases corresponding to identified external events. Signup and view all the answers

What is not a type of Use Case in the Event Decomposition Technique?

User Event Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Systems Design Activities

Defining the system architecture: The architect decides on the technical architecture for the system. For example, they might choose to build a web application with a cloud-based database.
Detailed design of components: Every part of the system is designed in detail, including forms, tables, and automatic alerts.
Designing the database: A database is created to store all of the relevant data. The database design will include tables, table relationships, and rules for data entry.
User Interface (UI) design: The designer creates mockups of how the screens will look for the user to make sure that the system is intuitive and easy to use.

The Software Development Process

Understand the need: This is where developers identify the business need for the system.
Capture the vision: The vision for the system is developed.
Define a solution: A solution is developed to directly address the need.
Communicate the vision and solution: The vision and solution are communicated with the stakeholders.
Build the solution: Developers build the solution based on the design.
Confirm that the solution meets the need: The system is tested to make sure that it meets the needs.
Launch the solution system: The system is made available to the users.

The System Development Life Cycle (SDLC)

The SDLC is the complete process for building, launching, and maintaining an information system.
It includes six core processes:
- Identify the problem or need and obtain approval.
- Plan and monitor the project.
- Discover and understand the details of the problem or need.
- Design the system components that solve the problem.
- Build, test, and integrate system components.
- Complete system tests and then deploy the solution.
Project: A project is a planned undertaking with a defined beginning and end that is intended to produce a specific result.

System Development Process

System Development Process is the actual approach used to develop a particular information system.
Most development processes now use Agile and Iterative development.
Agile Development: Uses small, functional increments to deliver the system. This allows for flexibility and frequent feedback.

System Analysis Activities

Gather Detailed Information: This involves the use of several techniques including interviews, questionnaires, reviewing documents, observing business processes, research, and collecting comments.
Define Requirements: Developers model the system's functional requirements and define non-functional requirements.
Prioritize Requirements: Requirements are categorized according to their importance: Essential, important, and nice-to-have.
Develop User-Interface Dialogs: The flow of interaction between the user and the system is designed.
Evaluate Requirements with Users: Engage with users to get feedback and adapt requirements.

Information Gathering Techniques

Several techniques can be used to gather information about a system.
Interviews
Questionnaires
Reviewing documents
Observing business processes
Researching vendors
Collecting comments and suggestions

Reasons for Modeling

Learning from the Modeling Process: Models can be used to gain insights and understanding.
Reducing Complexity by Abstraction: Models can simplify complex systems.
Remembering All the Details: Models can help to ensure that all aspects of the system are documented.
Communicating with Development Team Members: Models help to facilitate clear communication and collaboration.
Communicating with Users and Stakeholders: Models can be used to ensure that users and stakeholders understand the system.
Documenting for Future Maintenance/Enhancement: Models provide a useful reference for future updates and maintenance.

Use Cases

Definition: A use case is an activity that the system performs, often in response to a request from a user.
Purpose: Use cases are used to define the functional requirements for a system.
Decomposition: Analysts break down the system into a set of smaller use cases.
Techniques for Identifying Use Cases:
- User Goal Technique
- Event Decomposition Technique
Naming Convention: Use cases are named using a verb-noun format.

User Goal Technique Steps

Identify Potential Users: The first step is to identify all users.
Classify Users by Functional Role: Users are grouped according to the roles they play in the system.
Classify Users by Organizational Level: Users are further categorized based on their organizational level.
Interview Users: Each type of user is interviewed to gather information on their goals for the system.
Create Preliminary Use Cases: A preliminary list of use cases is created.
Resolve Duplicates and Inconsistencies: Resolve any issues with the use case names.
Identify Shared Use Cases: Determine which use cases are shared between different users.
Review with Users and Stakeholders: The list of use cases is reviewed with users and stakeholders.

Use Case Diagrams

Definition: A Use Case Diagram is used to visually represent use cases and how they relate to actors.
Unified Modeling Language (UML): UML is a standardized modeling language used for designing information systems.
Actor: An actor represents an end user or another system that interacts with the system.
Primary Actors: Primary actors initiate the use cases, interacting with the system directly to achieve goals.
System Boundary: This indicates the limits of the application, highlighting what is part of the system versus what is external to it.
Automation Boundary: The Automation Boundary shows the separation between computerized parts of the system and the user interactions.

Event Decomposition Technique (EDT)

Identify Events:
- External Events: Occurs outside the system, initiated by an external actor.
- Temporal Events: Triggered by reaching a specific time.
- State Events: Triggered by changes within the system or its internal state.
Naming Use Cases: Each event is assigned a corresponding use case that describes the response of the system to that event.

Benefits of EDT

Broader Event Capture: Includes temporal and state events, not just user goals.
Right-Level Decomposition: Helps break down processes into EBPs, which are basic, single-person tasks done in response to an event.
Perfect Technology Assumption: Focuses on core functions rather than system controls or error handling.

Temporal Events (Examples)

Automatically finalize class lists on a specific date to prevent further enrollment.
Automatically generate a monthly report.

State Events (Examples)

When a course section is full and the waitlist reaches 20 students, automatically create a new course section.
When the inventory level falls below the reorder point, automatically reorder inventory.

Modified Use Case Model (Example)

Student:
- Display Scheduled Course Sections
- Enroll in Course Section
- Waitlist for Course Section
- Display Timetable
- Drop Course Section
- Cancel Waitlist
System:
- Finalize Class Lists
- Open New Course Section

Generalization – Use Case

A Generalization relation is used to indicate that a specialized use case is a specific way to achieve the goals described by a general use case.
The open arrowhead points at the more general use case.

Generalization - Actors

A Generalization link can also be drawn between actors, to indicate a specialization relationship.

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Description

This quiz covers key activities in systems design and the software development process. It encompasses aspects such as defining system architecture, designing components, and creating user interfaces. Test your understanding of how to turn business needs into effective software solutions.