Software Development Concepts Quiz

Misconception about Standards

• A common misconception about having a book of standards and procedures for building software is that it guarantees success.
• In reality, standards and procedures are tools, and their effectiveness depends on how they are used and adapted to the specific project.

Adding Programmers to Late Projects

• Adding more programmers to a late software project often delays the project further.
• The added complexity of coordinating and integrating more people can outweigh any potential benefit.

Outsourcing Implications

• Outsourcing a software project can impact control and communication between the client and the development team.
• Confidentiality and security concerns must be addressed when outsourcing sensitive projects.

General Statements vs. Specific Objectives

• A general statement of objectives is insufficient for starting a software project because it lacks the clarity and detail needed for planning.
• A clear and detailed set of requirements is essential to define project scope, establish timelines, and allocate resources.

Unambiguous Requirements

• Developing unambiguous requirements in a software project is vital for ensuring that the final product meets expectations.
• This requires clear communication and a well-defined process for eliciting, documenting, and verifying requirements.

Unified Process (UP) - Elaboration Phase

• The Elaboration Phase of the Unified Process (UP) focuses on refining use cases, expanding the architectural representation, and identifying and mitigating risks.

Elaboration Phase Output

• The Elaboration Phase produces a preliminary system, known as an executable architecture baseline, which serves as a working model for further development.

Completion and Operational Use

• The Construction Phase of the UP is where requirements and design models are completed to reflect the final version for operational use.

Transition Phase Purpose

• The primary purpose of the Transition Phase in the Unified Process is to deploy the software to users and to support the ongoing use and maintenance of the system.

Models during Elaboration

• During the Elaboration Phase of the UP, the models that are expanded include use cases, design models, and architectural models.

Hardware Failure Rates

• Hardware failure rates are described as exhibiting a bathtub curve, where the rate is high initially, then decreases during normal operation before increasing again as the hardware ages.

Software vs. Hardware Replacement

• Software replacement tends to be more frequent than hardware replacement due to advancements in technology and changing user requirements.

Numerical Algorithms Software

• Scientific computing software is specifically designed for handling complex numerical algorithms.

Embedded Software Definition

• Embedded software is software that is integrated into a physical device, such as a car, a washing machine, or a smartphone, to control its functionality.

Complexity in Component-Based Construction

• Even with industry trends towards component-based techniques, software construction remains complex due to the need for component integration, testing, and configuration.

Product-Line Software Feature

• A key feature of product-line software is its focus on building reusable components and systems that can be adapted for various product variants.

Types of Software

• Some of the types of software mentioned include system software, application software, real-time software, and embedded software.

Software Change Drivers

• Software change primarily results from evolving user needs, advances in technology, and changes in business environments.

ISO 9001:2000 Purpose

• The purpose of ISO 9001:2000 is to provide a framework for quality management systems that organizations can use to improve their processes and meet customer requirements.

Personal Software Process (PSP)

• Activities not part of the Personal Software Process (PSP) include pair programming, code reviews, and formal defect tracking.

Team Software Process (TSP) Encouragement

• The Team Software Process (TSP) encourages project teams to engage in self-directed improvement through continuous process measurement and feedback.

PSP Importance

• Watts Humphrey's concept of PSP emphasizes the importance of individual responsibility, process measurement, and improvement in software development.

Team Software Process Teams

• A key characteristic of the teams in the Team Software Process is that they are self-managing and responsible for planning, tracking, and improving their own work.

Capabilities and Risk in Software Process Assessment

• In software process assessment, capabilities are related to an organization's ability to perform specific activities, while risk refers to potential problems that could impact the success of a project.

PSP Framework Activity

• The Design and Code Inspection framework activity in PSP is focused on uncovering errors through thorough code reviews.

TSP Goal

• The goal of TSP is to make personal responsibility, process measurement, and continuous improvement normal within teams.

Integer Overflow

• When the integer value exceeds Integer.MAX_VALUE in the provided code, an integer overflow occurs. This can lead to unexpected results, including incorrect calculations or even program crashes.

Adaptive Software Development (ASD) Phases

• The first phase of Adaptive Software Development (ASD) is Speculation.

ASD Distinguishing Features

• A distinguishing feature of Adaptive Software Development is the emphasis on rapid prototyping, frequent releases, and ongoing feedback.

ASD Time-Boxing

• In ASD, 'time-boxing' means allocating fixed time periods for tasks, even if they are not fully completed. It helps manage risk and focus on delivering working software incrementally.

ASD Collaboration Phase

• The principle emphasized during the collaboration phase of ASD is open communication and collaboration among team members.

ASD First Cycle Review

• Reviewing plans at the end of the first cycle in ASD is done to assess the effectiveness of the chosen strategies, adjust plans based on feedback, and set priorities for the next cycle.

ASD Focus

• Adaptive Software Development does not focus on detailed upfront planning and requirements gathering.

ASD Risk Approach

• ASD's approach to risk is to embrace uncertainty and manage it iteratively through frequent feedback and adaptation.

Operationalized Prototype

• An operationalized prototype in software implementation refers to a working model that is used to demonstrate functionality and gather user feedback.

Requirements Engineering Definition

• Requirements engineering is the systematic process of defining, documenting, and managing the requirements for a software system.

System Service Requirements

• Functional requirements describe the specific services a system should provide, such as processing data, generating reports, or managing user accounts.

Non-Functional Requirements Focus

• Non-functional requirements primarily focus on aspects such as performance, reliability, security, usability, and maintainability.

System Requirement Details

• System requirements are typically detailed in documents that provide a comprehensive overview of the system's functionalities and constraints.

User Requirements Characteristic

• A common characteristic of user requirements is that they are expressed in language that is understandable to users, even without technical expertise.

Requirements Engineering Focus

• Requirements engineering does not typically focus on developing detailed algorithms or software designs.

Non-Functional Timing Requirement

• A non-functional requirement concerning timing could be expressed as a response time requirement, such as "the system must respond to user requests within 3 seconds," or as an availability requirement, such as "the system must be available 99.9% of the time."

Test your knowledge of key concepts in software development, including the Unified Process phases, project management misconceptions, and requirements gathering. This quiz covers essential aspects that influence the success of software projects and helps clarify common industry misunderstandings.