Software Maintenance Problems in Chapter 5

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Questions and Answers

Why is software maintenance a problem according to the passage?

Software deteriorates due to wear and tear like hardware.

Software is not as crucial as hardware in information systems.

The outside world affects the internal structure of the software. (correct)

Hardware maintenance techniques can be directly applied to software maintenance.

What differentiates software from hardware in terms of maintenance?

Software can be maintained using hardware maintenance techniques directly.

Hardware is less crucial in information systems compared to software.

Software never deteriorates due to wear and tear like hardware. (correct)

Hardware needs more frequent updates than software.

Why does the passage mention that as the outside world is changed, the internal structure of the software is also affected?

To underscore the simplicity of software maintenance.

To highlight the impact of external changes on software maintenance. (correct)

To explain the relevance of hardware maintenance techniques to software.

To emphasize the importance of the internal structure of hardware.

What is built into the software according to the passage?

Activities of the outside world Signup and view all the answers

How does the complexity of computation relate to software maintenance according to the passage?

It increases the need for frequent software updates. Signup and view all the answers

Why does the passage mention that software maintenance activity seems to be endless?

To convey that software needs to be updated more frequently due to changes in the outside world. Signup and view all the answers

What is a unique characteristic of software maintenance according to the text?

It involves reconstructing the internal model manipulated by the computer program Signup and view all the answers

Why are many computer programs written without maintainability in mind?

Time and budget constraints during development Signup and view all the answers

What contributes to the complexity of understanding computer programs according to the text?

The size and the interaction of components Signup and view all the answers

What is specific to each corporation and cannot be contracted to outside software houses?

The integrated software system Signup and view all the answers

Why does the mobility of software personnel pose a challenge to corporations?

It results in the loss of expertise gained over a long period of time Signup and view all the answers

What is related to the difficulty of expressing dynamic computation in written language?

The fact that most programmers write poorly Signup and view all the answers

What aspect is often underestimated according to the text?

The complexity of understanding computer programs Signup and view all the answers

What contributes to the lack of documentation according to the text?

Tight budget and time constraints during development Signup and view all the answers

What does software maintenance require according to the text?

Understanding and reconstructing the internal model manipulated by the computer program Signup and view all the answers

Why does an integrated software system cannot be contracted to outside software houses according to the text?

Because it is specific to each corporation Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Software Maintenance Challenges

Software maintenance is a problem due to the complexity of software systems, which makes it difficult to understand and modify them.
Software differs from hardware in terms of maintenance because it is intangible and does not wear out, but it can still become obsolete or require changes.

Dynamic Nature of Software

The internal structure of software is affected by changes in the outside world, requiring continuous maintenance and updates.
Software is built with a dynamic internal structure that is susceptible to changes in the environment.

Complexity of Computation

The complexity of computation contributes to the difficulty of software maintenance, as it is challenging to understand and modify complex algorithms.
The complexity of computation is related to the difficulty of expressing dynamic computation in written language.

Unique Characteristics of Software Maintenance

Software maintenance is a unique activity because it seems endless, and software systems require continuous updates and modifications.
A unique characteristic of software maintenance is that it is an ongoing process that requires constant attention.

Lack of Maintainability

Many computer programs are written without maintainability in mind, making it difficult to modify and update them.
The lack of maintainability is often due to the complexity of understanding computer programs, which contributes to the difficulty of software maintenance.

Corporate Challenges

Each corporation has specific software requirements that cannot be contracted to outside software houses, making software maintenance a unique challenge for each corporation.
The mobility of software personnel poses a challenge to corporations because it leads to a loss of knowledge and expertise.

Documentation and Understanding

The aspect of documentation is often underestimated, leading to a lack of documentation, which contributes to the difficulty of software maintenance.
The lack of documentation is often due to the complexity of understanding computer programs and the difficulty of expressing dynamic computation in written language.

Software Maintenance Requirements

Software maintenance requires a deep understanding of the software system, its internal structure, and the complexity of computation.
Software maintenance requires a continuous effort to update and modify software systems to keep them relevant and functional.

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Description

Explore the challenges related to software maintenance, software reuse, and legacy systems as discussed in Chapter 5. Understand the unique nature of software and the difficulties it poses for maintenance, including feasible solutions to these issues.