Software Quality Assurance Quiz

Questions and Answers

What was the primary cause of the switches crashing and rebooting every six seconds?

Network overload

Wrong break statement in code (correct)

Incorrect routing configuration

Power failure

What immediate action did engineers take to resolve the switches' software issues?

Reviewed coding standards

Developed a new software version

Loaded the previous software release (correct)

Rebooted the switches

What impact did the Facebook apps outage have on users in 2019?

Users could not send messages or view images (correct)

Users stopped receiving notifications

Users had difficulty logging into their accounts

Users could not access Facebook’s main page

What was Facebook's explanation for the 2019 outage?

An accident during routine maintenance Signup and view all the answers

What potential consequences do software failures on social media platforms carry?

Loss of advertising revenue and reputational damage Signup and view all the answers

Which other apps besides Facebook experienced outages during the 2019 incident?

Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger Signup and view all the answers

What coding practice could have potentially prevented the switch failures?

Complete code coverage during testing Signup and view all the answers

Which incident occurred in 2018 that affected Facebook's reputation?

Misuse of personal information by Cambridge Analytica Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary cause of the Mariner I space probe failure?

Improper transcription of a formula into code Signup and view all the answers

What critical error occurred with the THERAC-25 medical accelerator?

Lethal radiation doses were incorrectly administered Signup and view all the answers

In the Ariane 5 Flight 501 incident, what triggered the crash of the flight computer?

An overflow condition from a floating-point conversion Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the AT&T network outage caused by a software bug?

A mass phone network disconnection Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately describes the consequence of the software errors in the Mariner I probe?

The rocket was destroyed over the Atlantic Ocean Signup and view all the answers

What was significant about the radiation doses delivered by the THERAC-25 device?

They resulted in immediate fatalities Signup and view all the answers

Which factor contributed to the overflow condition in the Ariane 5's flight computer?

The code was from a previous rocket model Signup and view all the answers

In the context of the AT&T network outage, what triggered the initial switch to crash?

A crash recovery message from a neighboring machine Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary security concern revealed by Google in 2018?

CPUs vulnerabilities known as Meltdown and Spectre Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following devices are affected by the mentioned CPU vulnerabilities?

Workstations, laptops and other devices Signup and view all the answers

What is the potential consequence of applying patches to correct CPU vulnerabilities?

Decreased device performance Signup and view all the answers

What incident occurred on August 7th, 2019, involving British Airways?

Over a hundred flights were canceled due to a computer system failure Signup and view all the answers

What do repeated software failures in British Airways indicate?

Poor computer management Signup and view all the answers

What was a direct effect of the system failure on August 7th, 2019?

Switching to manual check-in procedures Signup and view all the answers

What is the new version of the Spectre vulnerability called?

SWAPGSATTACK Signup and view all the answers

What challenge do investors face concerning frequent software failures in airlines?

High financial risks Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of Software Quality Assurance (SQA)?

Ensuring quality throughout the entire software development life cycle Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT part of the SQA objectives during software development?

Managing software deployment Signup and view all the answers

What type of requirements does SQA take into account?

Customer, corporate, and functional requirements Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes a measurable quality attribute in SQA?

Quality metrics Signup and view all the answers

During the maintenance phase, SQA aims to ensure confidence in which of the following?

Functional technical maintenance activities Signup and view all the answers

What is defined as software quality according to Pressman?

Adherence to both stated requirements and implicit characteristics. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following challenges in software quality relates to the nature of the software?

The uniqueness of the software product. Signup and view all the answers

Why is maintaining software quality important in economic exchanges?

Defects can lead to costly consequences. Signup and view all the answers

What does software quality assurance provide according to the IEEE?

Adequate confidence that products meet technical requirements. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT listed as a challenge in software quality?

Limited team experience. Signup and view all the answers

What is included in the definition of software quality assurance?

A planned set of actions to ensure process conformity. Signup and view all the answers

How does software quality affect transportation systems?

Software failures can disrupt critical functions. Signup and view all the answers

The systematic actions required in software quality assurance primarily focus on which aspects?

Meeting managerial requirements and technical standards. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Worst Software Failures in History

Mariner 1 Space Probe (1962): Launch failure due to a software bug from an incorrectly transcribed formula; the rocket was destroyed over the Atlantic.
Therac-25 Medical Accelerator (1985-1987): Malfunctioning radiation therapy device caused lethal overdoses; multiple patient deaths due to no controlled input validation.
Ariane 5 Flight 501 (1996): Reused Ariane 4 code caused a crash; 64-bit to 16-bit number conversion overflow led to rocket’s disintegration 40 seconds after launch.
AT&T Network Outage (1990): Software bug in #4ESS switches caused a cascade effect, shutting down 114 switches and affecting 60,000 people for nine hours.

More Recent Software Failures

Facebook Apps Outage (2019): Users unable to access photos and messages across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp; due to an accidental issue during routine maintenance.
CPUs Flaw (2018): Discovery of vulnerabilities (Meltdown and Spectre) affecting major chip manufacturers; exploitation allowed unauthorized data access across various devices.
British Airways Glitch (2019): Major system failure led to hundreds of flight cancellations and delays; systemic issues indicate poor computer management and raised investor concerns.

Software Quality Challenges

Software uniqueness increases complexity and decreases visibility, complicating defect detection.
Development environments can be complicated by contracts, teamwork, and the need for coordination with other software systems.

Importance of Software Quality

Software represents about 80% of the cost in computing systems across various sectors, including communication, healthcare, transportation, and entertainment.
Defects in software can lead to costly consequences, impacting financial losses, reputational damage, and even loss of life.

What is Software Quality Assurance (SQA)?

Defined by IEEE as a systematic approach to ensure that a product meets established technical requirements and quality objectives.
Focuses on evaluating software development and maintenance processes, ensuring compliance with both functional technical and managerial requirements.

Objectives of SQA

In Development: Ensure software meets functional technical requirements and adheres to managerial scheduling and budget constraints.
In Maintenance: Guarantee that maintenance activities also conform to specified requirements while improving efficiency and effectiveness in SQA processes.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the failures in software history, specifically focusing on notable cases like the Mariner I space probe. This quiz examines the importance of software quality assurance and the implications of coding errors. Prepare to learn about past mistakes and their impact on software development practices.