SOFTWARE - MIDTERM EXAM

What are the four **fundamental activities** common to all software process models?

• Software specification, software design and implementation, software validation, and software evolution.
• Planning, coding, debugging, and deployment.
• Requirements elicitation, analysis, and validation.
• Feasibility study, coding, integration, and user training.

Answer explanation

These four core activities are present in some form in every software process model. They are specification, design/implementation, validation, and evolution.

What is the primary difference between **System Design** and **Software Design**?

• System design is done by the client; software design is a technical process.
• System design partitions requirements to hardware and software, while software design represents system functions in a form that can be transformed into executable programs (like UML).
• System design focuses on interfaces; Software design focuses on databases.
• Software design focuses on feasibility study; System design focuses on maintenance.

Answer explanation

System design focuses on overall architecture (hardware/software partitioning), while software design focuses on representing system functions in an executable form (e.g., UML).

In the **Waterfall model**, what must happen before a subsequent phase can begin?

• The previous phase must be completed and its output documents must be officially approved ("signed off").
• A prototype must be built and validated.
• A risk assessment must be performed.
• The customer must provide new user stories.

Answer explanation

The Waterfall model is a sequential process where each phase must be completed and formally signed off before the next one starts.

Which of the following is **NOT** a sub-activity under the **Software Design and Implementation** fundamental process?

• Architectural Design
• Requirements Validation
• Component Design
• Database Design

Answer explanation

Requirements Validation is the final sub-activity of the **Software Specification** phase, not the Design and Implementation phase.

What is the main purpose of **Acceptance Testing** in the Software Validation stage?

• To check the project's cost and objectives (Feasibility Study).
• To present the overall structure of the system (Architectural Design).
• To use actual user data to validate if the output/experience is the same as expected.
• To create a smaller, initial version of the system (Prototyping).

Answer explanation

Acceptance testing uses real-world data to ensure the system meets the user's expected output and experience.

What is the primary characteristic of the **Prototyping** software process model?

• It requires a complete "signed-off" document before proceeding to the next stage.
• Its strength is the explicit recognition and analysis of risks in every loop.
• It is an initial, smaller version of the software system used to demonstrate concepts or check the feasibility of a proposed design.
• It relies on individuals and interactions over processes and tools.

Answer explanation

Prototyping creates a simplified, initial version of the system to demonstrate concepts and evaluate a design's feasibility.

The strength and main difference of **Boehm's Spiral Model** compared to other models is its explicit recognition of what?

• Incremental delivery and customer satisfaction.
• The need for "signed-off" documents.
• Focusing on simplicity in both software and the process.
• Risks (Project, Technical, Business, and Unavoidable).

Answer explanation

The Spiral Model is unique due to its explicit focus on risk handling, with risk assessment and reduction being a core sector in every loop.

Which of the following is a key **DISADVANTAGE** of the **Spiral Model**?

• It is complex, expensive, and too dependent on experienced expertise for risk analysis.
• It lacks flexibility in incorporating requirements change.
• It forces the customer to wait for the entire system to be completed.
• It does not allow for iterative implementation.

Answer explanation

Due to extensive planning and risk analysis, the Spiral model can be complex and expensive, requiring highly experienced personnel.

The **Rational Unified Process (RUP)** identifies which four discrete phases in the software process?

• Specification, Design, Implementation, and Maintenance (Waterfall).
• Inception, Elaboration, Construction, and Transition.
• Planning, Risk Analysis, Engineering, and Evaluation (Spiral Sectors).
• User Stories, Release Plan, Development, and Evaluation (XP Steps).

Answer explanation

RUP is a phase model organized around Inception, Elaboration, Construction, and Transition.

What does a single loop in the **Spiral Model** represent?

• A full iteration of the entire software process.
• A single sprint (Scrum).
• One phase or one release of the software.
• The entire maintenance stage.

Answer explanation

Each loop of the four sectors in the Spiral Model represents one phase or one release of the system.