Software Engineering Fundamentals

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary goal of software engineering?

To produce good quality, maintainable software, on time, within budget.

How does software differ from a program?

Software includes programs, documentation, and operating procedures, whereas a program is just a set of instructions.

List three software characteristics as described in the provided text.

Software does not wear out, is not manufactured, and has reusability of components.

What does the term 'functionality' refer to in the context of software?

<p>It refers to how well the software performs its intended purpose.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Define 'efficiency' in the context of software.

<p>Efficiency is the ability of the software to use system resources effectively.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'reliability' of software?

<p>Reliability is the software's ability to maintain its performance under specified conditions for a stated period.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Explain 'maintainability' in the context of software.

<p>Maintainability refers to the ease with which software can be modified for improvements or error correction.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the three main components of software as defined in the text?

<p>Programs, documentation, and operating procedures.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary advantage of using the Rapid Application Development (RAD) model in terms of product delivery time, compared to the waterfall or prototyping models?

<p>The RAD model allows for quicker product release, potentially within weeks or months, as opposed to the months or years</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is an essential element for the success of the RAD model that continues throughout the entire process?

<p>Continuous user involvement</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the RAD model, what is produced early in the process for user evaluation and refinement?

<p>A rapid prototype</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are three of the four phases of a typical Rapid Application Development cycle, as presented in the text?

<p>Requirement planning phase, User description phase, and Construction phase.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one way that the use of tools and frameworks can aid the productivity of the Rapid Application Development model, according to the text?

<p>It may use CASE tools to increase productivity</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the challenges of RAD, what may result if reusable components are not available during the development process?

<p>Development time may not be reduced significantly</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe one key difference that an evolutionary model has as opposed to the iterative enhancement model?

<p>In an evolutionary process not a useable product is required at the end of each cycle.</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the evolutionary model, how are the requirements implemented?

<p>Requirements are implemented by category rather than by priority.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What document is essential for a smooth implementation or coding phase, according to the text?

<p>SDD (Software Design Document)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of activities during the testing phase?

<p>Examination and modification of the code</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of testing is performed on individual modules?

<p>Unit testing</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is integration testing necessary after unit testing?

<p>To check interfaces between modules</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of system testing?

<p>To test the entire system.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What phase is inaugurated when the software is released?

<p>Operation and maintenance phase</p> Signup and view all the answers

Name one activity that is considered part of software maintenance?

<p>Error correction, capability enhancement, deletion of obsolete capabilities, or optimization.</p> Signup and view all the answers

In terms of duration, how does the operation and maintenance phase compare to the development phase?

<p>It is much longer, often 5 to 50 years, while development is usually 1 to 3 years.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical purpose of a release 1.1, that immediately follows a previous release?

<p>To incorporate more features and fix discovered bugs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a major reason some software developers are not familiar with industry best practices?

<p>They do not spend much time reading literature to find out about the best known ways of software development.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are some examples of process improvement initiatives that the text mentions software developers should be aware of?

<p>ISO 9001 and capability maturity model (CMM).</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why are some organizations motivated to launch process improvement initiatives for the wrong reasons?

<p>Because they are requested by an external entity, or because a manager wants to 'climb on the bandwagon'.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of a product in software engineering according to the text?

<p>Anything delivered to the customer, including software manufactured based on their request.</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of software engineering, what is a process, according to the text?

<p>It is the way in which software is produced; the collection of activities that lead to a product.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are some concrete examples given of what a software 'product' could be besides the source code?

<p>Specification document, manual, documentation, etc.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between a good process and a good product?

<p>An efficient process is required to produce a good quality product.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the Requirement Analysis and Specification phase in the Waterfall Model?

<p>To understand and document the exact requirements of the customer for the software.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the Design phase of the Waterfall Model relate to the Software Requirement Specification document?

<p>The Design phase transforms the requirements in the SRS into a structure suitable for implementation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important for phases in the Waterfall Model to not overlap?

<p>Each phase must be completed before the next begins to ensure a systematic and orderly development process.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential consequence if the developer fails to adhere to the requirements documented in the SRS?

<p>It may lead to a failure in implementing the contracted system as expected by the customer.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What kind of information is documented in the Software Design Description (SDD) document?

<p>It contains the overall software architecture and detailed design work necessary for coding.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the Waterfall Model's diagrammatic representation reflect its name?

<p>It resembles a cascade of waterfalls, illustrating the linear flow of the development phases.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of executing the Requirement Analysis phase together with the customer?

<p>It ensures that all functions, performance, and interfacing requirements are accurately captured.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the output document from the Requirement Analysis and Specification phase called?

<p>The output document is known as the Software Requirement Specification (SRS) document.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a product from a process in software development?

<p>A product is the final output of a project, while a process is the sequence of steps followed to create that product.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of having a mature software process in an organization?

<p>A mature software process allows for the estimation of required time and effort for producing a product based on past experiences.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Identify the phases included in the software life cycle model.

<p>The phases include Requirement, Design, Implementation, Test, Installation and Checkout, Operation and Maintenance, and Retirement.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the Build and Fix Model in software engineering?

<p>The Build and Fix Model is characterized by constructing a product without specifications, with subsequent iterations for fixes as needed.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the software life cycle model contribute to project management?

<p>It provides a structured framework to guide the development phases, helping managers track progress and resource allocation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Discuss the importance of documenting processes in mature organizations.

<p>Documenting processes allows organizations to define and manage the steps involved in software development, leading to improved consistency and quality.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the software life cycle model and software maintenance?

<p>The software life cycle model includes an Operation and Maintenance phase which is crucial for addressing issues and updating software after deployment.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Explain the potential drawbacks of an immature software process.

<p>An immature software process lacks documentation and structure, leading to inconsistencies, unpredictability, and potential project failures.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Software Engineering

A discipline aimed at producing quality software on time and within budget.

Program vs Software

A program is a set of instructions; software includes programs plus documentation and procedures.

Software Characteristics

Software is not manufactured, does not wear out, and includes reusability and flexibility.

Functionality

The degree of performance of the software against its intended purpose.

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Efficiency

The ability of software to effectively use system resources.

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Reliability

A measure of software's ability to maintain performance under specified conditions.

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Maintainability

The ease of making modifications to software for improvements or corrections.

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Quality Software

Softare that meets requirements and is delivered on time, within budget.

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Software Release

The process of releasing version updates of software to users, often including new features and bug fixes.

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Lack of Knowledge

Absence of awareness about industry best practices among software developers.

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Best Practices

Established methods and techniques recognized as most effective in software development.

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ISO 9001

An international standard that specifies requirements for a quality management system (QMS).

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Capability Maturity Model (CMM)

A framework for improving processes in organizations, focusing on development and project management.

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Process Improvement Initiatives

Efforts by organizations to enhance their processes for better performance and output.

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Product vs Process

Product is the delivered outcome; process is how the product is developed.

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Insufficient Commitment

Lack of dedication to improving processes in an organization, often in the face of obstacles.

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Product

The final output or result of a software project.

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Process

A set of sequences or steps to create a software project.

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Software Life Cycle

The period from conception to retirement of a software product.

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Mature Process

A process that is documented and effectively managed.

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Immature Process

A process that is often unspecified and disorganized.

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Lifecycle Model

An abstraction that represents the stages of software development.

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Build and Fix Model

An ad-hoc, two-phase model involving coding and reworking.

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Phases of Software Life Cycle

Stages including requirements, design, implementation, testing, and retirement.

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Waterfall Model

A software development model with five sequential phases.

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Requirement Analysis

The phase to understand and document customer requirements.

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Software Requirement Specification (SRS)

A document that outlines what the system will do.

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Design Phase

Transforms SRS into a structure for implementation.

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Software Design Description (SDD)

A document detailing the design to begin coding.

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Implementation and Unit Testing

The phase where coding occurs followed by testing individual components.

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Integration and System Testing

Combines individual components and tests them as a whole.

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Operation and Maintenance

Ongoing support and updates after deployment.

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RAD Model

Rapid Application Development (RAD) is an incremental model that emphasizes user involvement and quick prototype delivery.

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Prototyping

Prototyping in RAD involves creating a model of the software for user evaluation and feedback.

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User Involvement

In RAD, user involvement is essential from the requirements phase to product delivery.

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Continuous Feedback

RAD relies on continuous user feedback to refine prototypes and finalize requirements.

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Development Tools

RAD may utilize powerful tools and CASE frameworks to streamline the development process.

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Challenges of RAD

RAD requires consistent user involvement and skilled developers; lack of component reusability can hinder progress.

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Evolutionary Model

The evolutionary model includes cyclical phases similar to the waterfall model, focusing on iterative enhancements without needing a usable product each cycle.

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Requirement Planning Phase

In RAD, this phase structures how requirements will be gathered and validated with user involvement.

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Implementation Phase

The phase where design is implemented and coded based on the Software Design Document (SDD).

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Unit Testing

Testing of small, independent modules in isolation to ensure they are implemented correctly.

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Integration Testing

Testing to ensure that interfaces between modules work correctly after unit testing.

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System Testing

Testing of the entire system where software is integrated as part of a larger system.

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Operation Phase

The phase where software is installed and operational at the customer's site after delivery.

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Maintenance Phase

Ongoing tasks after software release, including error correction and enhancements to preserve software value.

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Cost of Testing

Testing can consume one-third to one-half of a project's development cost, making it a significant activity.

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Study Notes

Software Engineering - Module 1

  • Software is critical to modern advancements
  • Programming alone isn't enough for large-scale software
  • Significant problems exist with cost, timelines, maintenance, and quality of software products
  • Software engineering aims to solve these issues by creating high-quality, maintainable software on time and within budget

Definition

  • Software Engineering is the application of engineering principles to create reliable, efficient, and cost-effective software
  • It focuses on producing quality software that meets requirements, is delivered on time, and within budget

Program vs Software

  • A program is a set of instructions to solve a specific problem
  • Software is more encompassing, encompassing programs, documentation, and procedures for setup and operation

Components of Software

  • Software Program
  • Documentation
  • Operating Procedures

Software Characteristics

  • Functionality: The degree of performance matching the intended purpose
    • Suitability: Meets the needs
    • Accuracy: Correctness of data
    • Interoperability: Compatibility with other systems
    • Compliance: Meets regulations
    • Security: Protection from unauthorized access
  • Efficiency: Effective use of system resources in terms of time and resources
  • Reliability: Ability to maintain performance for a specified time and conditions
    • Recoverability: Ability to resume operation after failure
    • Fault tolerance: Ability to continue operation in the presence of errors
    • Maturity: Level of refinement and stability
  • Maintainability: Ease of modifying and improving functionality
    • Testability: Ease of testing modifications
    • Stability: Resistance to unexpected changes
    • Changeability: Adaptability to future changes
    • Operability: Usability for the intended tasks
  • Portability: Ability to adapt to different environments
    • Adaptability: Adjustments to new environments
    • Installability: Ease to set up in new environments
    • Replaceability: Replacement in an environment
  • Usability: How easily the software can be learned and used
    • Understandability: Ease of understanding the system
    • Learnability: Effort to learn how to use it
    • Operability: Efficiency of operation

Different Software Process Models

  • Waterfall: Sequential phases: Requirements, Design, Implementation, Testing, Deployment, Maintenance
    • Fixed, sequential steps—risks are present because issues are discovered only during testing,
  • Build and Fix: Iterative refinement, focused on building and fixing to satisfy the customer
  • Incremental: Delivering working software in stages with increasing functionality
  • Evolutionary: Emphasizing adaptations to changing needs
  • Prototyping: Creating a prototype to assess user needs and refine requirements
    • Disadvantage: Prototype code may not be reused - may not fully meet expected needs.
  • Spiral: Iterative design; each iteration assesses risk and refines the prototype.
  • RAD (Rapid Application Development): Active involvement of end users, rapid prototyping, and iterative development
  • Challenges: Involvement, reusability, skilled developers, efficient modularization

Software Process

  • The set of activities used to develop software
  • Consists of specific activities, which include software specification, development, validation, and evaluation

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