Software Engineering Principles

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary focus of requirements engineering in software development?

Transforming user feedback into system design

Validating the software against user needs

Implementing an executable software system

Developing a software specification (correct)

Which model is NOT considered a general process model in software development?

Prototyping model (correct)

Reuse-oriented development

Incremental development

Waterfall model

What aspect of software is addressed by software evolution?

Validating that the software meets its specification

Initial system design and implementation

Developing a clear user interface

Changing existing software systems to meet new requirements (correct)

Which approach is primarily associated with reducing process overheads in software development?

Agile approaches Signup and view all the answers

What does software validation primarily check for?

Conformance to its specification Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of software costs are typically attributed to testing?

40% Signup and view all the answers

In software engineering, what is usually more expensive for custom software?

Evolution costs Signup and view all the answers

Which type of software typically requires a full and analyzable specification?

Safety-critical control systems Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant impact of the Web on software development?

Advances in programming languages and software reuse Signup and view all the answers

What is a common reason for software project failure?

Increasing system complexity Signup and view all the answers

What defines generic software products?

Marketed as stand-alone systems to a broad audience Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately reflects software engineering practices?

Different projects may benefit from varied techniques Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of customized software products?

They are commissioned by specific customers to meet unique needs Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the insulin delivery system?

To deliver the correct amount of insulin to counteract blood sugar. Signup and view all the answers

Which feature of the Mentcare system aids in individual care management?

Clinicians can create and edit patient records. Signup and view all the answers

How does the Mentcare system support patients when connectivity is not available?

It enables downloading of local copies of patient records. Signup and view all the answers

What is an important goal of the Mentcare system?

To generate management information for performance assessment. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes a key feature of patient monitoring in Mentcare?

It issues warnings if possible problems are detected. Signup and view all the answers

Why are mental health clinics often held outside of hospitals?

To make it more accessible for patients. Signup and view all the answers

What type of information does the Mentcare system maintain?

Information about patients with mental health problems. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the centralized database in the Mentcare system?

It stores data that can be retrieved both online and offline. Signup and view all the answers

What should engineers avoid regarding their competence?

Misrepresenting their level of competence Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important for engineers to understand intellectual property rights?

To protect the intellectual property of themselves and their clients Signup and view all the answers

What does computer misuse include?

Using work computers for game playing or spreading viruses Signup and view all the answers

Who does the ACM/IEEE Code of Ethics apply to?

Members including practitioners, educators, managers, and trainees Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary rationale for the Code of Ethics for software engineers?

To ensure software engineering is a beneficial and respected profession Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the aspirations and details in the Code of Ethics?

Together they create a cohesive code Signup and view all the answers

What opportunity do software engineers have due to their role in developing software systems?

To do good or cause harm through their work Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential consequence of the absence of detailed clauses in the Code of Ethics?

The code becomes overly simplistic Signup and view all the answers

What tends to happen to system structure as new increments are added?

It degrades unless periodic refactoring is performed. Signup and view all the answers

What is one major advantage of using reusable software components?

It reduces costs and risks associated with software development. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a key process stage in software integration and configuration?

Component adaptation and backup Signup and view all the answers

What challenges arise from the reuse of existing software components?

Requirements compromises can lead to unmet user needs. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term COTS refer to in the context of software systems?

Commercial-off-the-shelf systems. Signup and view all the answers

Why might managers require regular deliverables in software development?

To measure progress and control costs effectively. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes a situation in which further software changes become difficult?

When the software undergoes frequent changes without refactoring. Signup and view all the answers

What does the integration of reusable software components often rely on?

The ability to adapt components to meet user requirements. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Software Evolution

Software is modified to meet changing user and market needs.
Development costs are roughly 60% of software costs; testing costs represent about 40%.
Evolution costs may exceed development costs in custom software.

Best Software Engineering Techniques

Software projects need professional management and development.
Different techniques are suitable for different software types.
Prototyping is ideal for game development.
A complete specification is necessary for safety-critical control systems.
No one method is universally superior.

Impact of the Web

The web has enabled software services and the development of highly distributed, service-based systems.
Web-based systems development has led to advancements in programming languages and software reuse.

Software Project Failure

Increased system complexity leads to challenges:
- Faster delivery deadlines
- Need for larger, more complex systems
- Demand for new functionalities previously deemed impossible
Failure to use software engineering methods:
- Many companies fail to adopt software engineering practices, resulting in increased costs and decreased reliability.

Software Products

Generic Products:
- Stand-alone systems marketed and sold to any buyer.
- Examples: PC software like graphics programs, project management tools, CAD software, and specialized software like dental appointment systems.
- Product specifications are owned by the developer.
- Developers make all decisions concerning software changes.
Customized Products:
- Software commissioned by a specific customer to fulfill their unique requirements.

Software Engineering Ethics

Competence: Engineers must not misrepresent their skills and should avoid accepting assignments beyond their capabilities.
Intellectual Property Rights: Engineers should be aware of local laws regarding intellectual property, such as patents and copyrights. They must protect the intellectual property of their employers and clients.
Computer Misuse: Software engineers should not use their technical skills to engage in illicit activities involving computers. This includes minor misuse like playing games on an employer's machine and serious actions like distributing viruses.

ACM/IEEE Code of Ethics

US professional societies have collaborated to create a code of ethical practice.
Members of these organizations agree to this code when joining.
The code outlines eight principles governing the conduct and decisions of software engineers, encompassing practitioners, educators, managers, supervisors, policymakers, trainees, and students.
Software engineers have a significant impact on society, with the capacity to do both good and harm, as well as influence others to do the same.
The code aims to ensure that software engineering efforts contribute to a positive and respected profession.
The short version of the code presents high-level aspirations, while the detailed version offers specific examples and explanations.
The code's aspirations and details work together to create a cohesive set of principles for ethical software engineering.

Mentcare: A Mental Health Case Patient Management System

A system for managing patient records in mental health care.
Supports mental health care by maintaining information about patients and their treatments.
Most mental health patients do not require hospital care but benefit from regular visits to specialist clinics.
Clinics are not limited to hospitals; they may also be located in local medical practices or community centers.
Mentcare is designed for use in clinics.
It uses a centralized patient information database and a PC-based version for sites without secure network connectivity.
Local systems can download and use local copies of patient records when disconnected.
Goals:
- Generate management information for assessing performance against local and government targets.
- Provide medical staff with timely information for patient care.
Key features:
- Individual Care Management:
  - Clinicians can create and edit patient records, view patient history, and access data summaries for quick insights.
- Patient Monitoring:
  - The system tracks patient records and issues warnings about potential problems.
- Management Reporting:
  - Regular reporting is needed for assessing progress and measuring performance.

Challenges of Incremental Development

System structure can degrade as new increments are added.
Regular change can negatively impact the system's structure.
Refactoring is necessary to improve the software and simplify future changes.

Integration and Configuration

System is built by assembling existing configurable components.
Can be plan-driven or agile in development.
Based on software reuse, integrating existing components or application systems, often called COTS (Commercial-off-the-shelf).
Reused elements can be configured to adapt their behavior and functionality.
Software reuse is now the standard for building many business systems.
Types of Reusable Software:
- Stand-alone application systems (COTS) configured for specific environments.
- Collections of objects packaged for integration with frameworks like .NET or J2EE.
- Web services designed according to service standards and available for remote invocation.
Key Process Stages:
- Requirements specification
- Software discovery and evaluation
- Requirements refinement
- Application system configuration
- Component adaptation and integration
Advantages:
- Reduced costs and risks as less software is developed from scratch.
- Faster delivery and deployment.
Disadvantages:
- Potential compromises on requirements, leading to a system that may not fully meet user needs.
- Reduced control over the evolution of reused system elements.

Process Activities

Real software processes involve interleaved technical, collaborative, and managerial activities.
The goal is to specify, design, implement, and test a software system.
General process models:
- Describe the organization of software processes.
- Examples: waterfall model, incremental development, and reuse-oriented development.
Requirements engineering:
- Develops the software specification.
Design and Implementation processes::
- Transform a requirements specification into an executable software system.
Software Evolution:
- Addresses changes to existing software to meet new requirements.
- Software needs to evolve to remain useful.
Software Validation:
- Ensures the system conforms to its specification and fulfills user needs.

Key Principles of Software Processes

Include activities like prototyping and incremental delivery to manage change.
Structured for iterative development and delivery to allow changes without disrupting the entire system.
Process improvement approaches include agile methods (reducing process overheads) and maturity-based approaches (enhanced process management and good software engineering practices).
SEI process maturity framework:
- Identifies maturity levels linked to the application of best software engineering practices.

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Description

This quiz focuses on the essential principles of software evolution, best engineering techniques, and the impact of web technologies on development practices. It also addresses common challenges faced in software projects and factors contributing to project failures. Test your knowledge and understanding of these crucial aspects of software engineering.