Software Dev Weeks 4,5,6

Business implications of relying on outdated systems include reduced competitiveness due to inefficiencies and higher operational costs. These systems can lead to decreased employee productivity and satisfaction, as modern tools are generally more user-friendly and efficient. Security risks are also heightened, as outdated systems may not be supported with the latest security updates, making them vulnerable to cyber threats. Additionally, customer experience can suffer, as older systems may not support new functionalities or integrations that customers expect, potentially leading to a loss of business.

Open Ended

What are the implications of outdated systems?

Explain your thoughts below:

User-centric design in digital processes focuses on tailoring the user experience to meet the needs and preferences of the end-user. This approach involves iterative testing, feedback, and refinement to ensure that digital products and services are intuitive, accessible, and satisfying to use. By prioritizing the user's perspective, businesses can enhance customer satisfaction, increase engagement, and ultimately drive better adoption and loyalty, leading to improved business outcomes.

Open Ended

Take your time - you have 10 minutes to complete this task.

1. 1. Research online - the principles of human-centred design.

2. 2. Note down here in brief, in your own words, what those principles are and why they are important.

Open Ended

Software updates can be a pain, but they are necessary to keep software secure and running smoothly.

Why are they important?

What can happen if you don't update a system?

Types of virtual web-based enterprises include e-commerce platforms, which sell goods or services online; content providers, offering digital content like news, music, or video; social networks, facilitating interactions among users; cloud service providers, offering online storage and computing services; and marketplace platforms, connecting buyers and sellers for various goods and services. Each type leverages the internet to reach a global audience, streamline operations, and offer unique value propositions.

Open Ended

What is your favourite platform-based business and why?

Up next

Now let's see, one way in which
those platforms work.

Open Ended

Working together, complete a list of web-based enterprises below:

Core digital services encompass a broad range of online offerings aimed at enhancing efficiency and accessibility. These include cloud computing, providing scalable resources and services over the internet; e-commerce platforms, facilitating online transactions and retail; digital marketing, leveraging online channels to promote products and services; mobile applications, offering tailored user experiences on smartphones and tablets; and data analytics services, delivering insights from large datasets to inform decision-making processes. These services are foundational to modern digital strategies, driving innovation and growth in various sectors.

Open Ended

What are core digital services?

Answer below.

Open Ended

What is the definition of a digital service?

Key web and digital services used by enterprises include Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems for managing customer interactions, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems for integrating core business processes, Content Management Systems (CMS) for managing digital content, e-commerce platforms for online sales, cloud computing services for scalable IT resources, digital marketing tools for online promotion, and cybersecurity services for protecting digital assets. These services are critical for operational efficiency, customer engagement, and competitive advantage in the digital age.

Open Ended

What is a digital enterprise service?

Mechanisms behind customer engagement on the web include personalized content delivery, which tailors user experiences based on individual preferences; interactive elements like quizzes and polls that encourage active participation; social sharing features, enabling users to share content easily with their networks; and responsive design, ensuring a seamless experience across different devices. These strategies help in building a deeper connection with the audience, encouraging repeat visits and fostering a sense of community around a brand or platform.

The core phases of Agile software development methodologies typically include concept, where project goals and value propositions are defined; inception, involving the identification of team members and initial project requirements; iteration/construction, where the team develops working software through repeated cycles (sprints); release, involving final testing, user training, and the product's launch; maintenance, where ongoing support and adjustments are provided; and retirement, marking the end of the product's lifecycle and its replacement or discontinuation.

Multiple Choice

What is the primary goal of Agile software development?

• 
  

• • A) To produce complete software at the end of the project

  
  

• B) To deliver working software incrementally

• • C) To document every aspect of the software

  
  

• • D) To follow a strict plan without changes

  
  

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a core practice in Agile methodologies?

• 
  

• A) Detailed documentation

• B) Minimal customer interaction

• C) Regular adaptation to changing circumstances

• D) Complete planning before starting

Multiple Choice

What is a User Story in Agile?

• 
  

• A) A detailed specification of software features

• B) A description of a software feature from an end-user perspective

• C) A technical documentation written by users

• D) A user manual for the software

Multiple Choice

In Scrum, what is a Sprint?

• 
  

• A) A meeting to discuss project progress

• B) A documentation phase

• C) A set period during which specific work has to be completed and made ready for review

• D) A debugging phase in the software

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes the role of a Scrum Master?

• 
  

• A) The person who writes the most code

• B) The project's stakeholder

• C) A facilitator for the Agile development team

• D) The lead software tester

Digital services fundamentally refer to the use of digital technologies to offer services to consumers and businesses, often through the internet. Key features of digital services include accessibility, where services can be accessed from anywhere at any time; personalization, which allows services to be tailored to individual user preferences; scalability, enabling services to grow with demand; and interactivity, providing dynamic interaction between the service and its users. These services span various sectors, including banking, education, healthcare, and entertainment, significantly enhancing efficiency, convenience, and user experience.

Discuss the implications of the EU DSA - prepare to share ideas with the group.

To create a static website using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, start by structuring your content with HTML, defining elements like headings, paragraphs, and links. Use CSS to style these elements, setting colours, fonts, and layout properties to enhance the visual design. Incorporate JavaScript to add interactivity, such as menu animations or form validations. Organize your files logically, with separate folders for CSS and JavaScript files, and link them properly in your HTML documents. Testing across different browsers and devices ensures compatibility and a seamless user experience.

User-responsive elements in web design adapt to the preferences and actions of the user. These can include interactive forms that provide immediate feedback, menus and buttons that change appearance or function based on user interaction, and personalized content that adjusts based on user behaviour or input. Implementing these features often involves a combination of HTML, CSS for styling and layout, and JavaScript for dynamic changes and interactivity, ensuring a more engaging and intuitive user experience.

Databases play a crucial role in software applications by providing a structured way to store, retrieve, and manage data. They support data integrity, consistency, and security, enabling efficient data access through queries. Databases can handle vast amounts of information, support concurrent user access, and ensure data is consistently updated and available, making them essential for dynamic applications that require real-time data processing and storage.

Key benefits of database integration include enhanced data accessibility, allowing for centralized access to information from multiple sources, and improved data consistency and quality through unified data management practices. It also enables more efficient data analysis and reporting by aggregating diverse data sets, facilitating better business insights and decision-making. Moreover, database integration supports scalability and flexibility in IT systems, accommodating growing data needs and evolving business processes.

Open Ended

Research online and write your answer below:

What are the key benefits of database integration?

Evaluating database linking mechanisms involves comparing different replication strategies, such as those used in PostgreSQL and MySQL, focusing on their ability to handle data, performance impact, and suitability for specific applications. Synchronous replication ensures data consistency by confirming each change before proceeding, while asynchronous replication, like PostgreSQL's Slony extension, batches changes, offering high transfer speeds at the cost of higher server load. Each mechanism has its strengths, making them suitable for various scenarios, from web applications to georeplication for reduced latency.

Software Configuration Management (SCM) is a critical process in the development and maintenance of software systems, ensuring consistency, traceability, and control over changes throughout the software lifecycle. Originating from a technical management discipline developed by the United States Department of Defense in the 1950s, SCM has evolved to become a fundamental aspect of various fields, including software development, IT service management, and more. It focuses on tracking and monitoring changes to software systems' configuration metadata, which is particularly important in agile CI/CD environments to build robust and stable systems​​.

The SCM process encompasses several key tasks, such as Configuration Identification, Baseline establishment, Change Control, Configuration Status Accounting, and Configuration Audits and Reviews. Configuration Identification involves determining the scope of the system and managing the configuration items, which could include source code modules, test cases, and specification requirements. Baselines represent formally accepted versions of software configuration items, established at specific points to facilitate the construction and management of various versions. Change Control is a procedural method ensuring that any modifications maintain the quality and consistency of the system. Configuration Status Accounting involves tracking each release and the changes leading to it, while Configuration Audits and Reviews verify that the software meets the baseline requirements and maintains integrity throughout its development​​.

SCM brings numerous benefits to software development, including enhanced multi-user updates, improved productivity, facilitated communication and collaboration, and effective platform and OS testing. It helps accommodate changes efficiently, control costs, and increase overall efficiency, making it an indispensable part of the DevOps lifecycle, CI/CD configuration, and agile methodologies. Tools like Git, Docker, Terraform, Ansible, Salt Stack, Chef, and Puppet play a significant role in SCM by automating traditionally manual tasks, allowing greater accuracy, speed, and control over the software configuration process​​.

For more comprehensive insights into SCM, consider exploring the detailed discussions available at Atlassian, Guru99, and The QA Lead.

Consequences of not using SCM tools:

1. Increased risk of errors and inconsistencies.

2. Reduced productivity.

3. Difficulty in collaboration.

4. Poor quality software.

5. Increased costs.