1. How does software differ from the artifacts produced by other engineering
disciplines?
Answer (Section 1.1):
Software is both a product and a vehicle for delivering a product. As a
product, software is an information transformer. As a vehicle for delivering a
product, software serves as a basis for computer control, communication, and
creation of other programs.
2. How do software characteristics differ from hardware characteristics?
Answer (Section 1.2):
Software is developed, not manufactured. Software does not wear out. Most
software is custom built, not assembled out of components.
Final Exam Question
3. Explain what is wrong with the notion that computer software does not need
to evolve over time.
Answer (Section1.1):
Computer software must be revised as errors are discovered and corrected.
Software must be updated to accommodate changes in the computing
environment. Many times a customer will request changes to add new
functions to an existing product or to accommodate changes in the business
environment. Sometimes an older system will need to be reengineered to
provide benefits to the user in a modern context. The bottom line is that
software that does not evolve will eventually become unusable.
, Chapter 2 - Test Questions
1. List three areas in which process models may differ from one another.
Answer (Section 2.2):
Overall flow and level of interdependencies among tasks
Degree to which work tasks are defined within each framework activity
Degree to which work products are identified and required
Manner in which quality assurance activities are applied
Manner in which project tracking and control activities are applied
Overall degree of detail and rigor of process description
Degree to which stakeholders are involved in the project
Level of autonomy given to project team
Degree to which team organization and roles are prescribed
2. Describe how Polya’s problem solving principles describe the essence of
engineering practice?
Answer (Section 2.3):
Understand the problem (communication and analysis)
Plan a solution (modeling and design)
Carry out the plan (code generation)
Examine the result for accuracy (testing and quality assurance)
Final Exam Question
1. Describe the relationships among software engineering process, methods,
and tools.
Answer (Section2.1):
Software process defines the framework that must be established for effective
delivery of software engineering technology, by providing a context by which
the software engineering methods are applied. Software engineering methods
provide the technical how-to’s for building software. Software engineering
tools provide automated or semi-automated support for software engineering
process and methods.
, Chapter 3 - Test Questions
1. How are tasks, actions, and activities related to software process models?
Answer (Section 3.1):
A software process is made up of activities. Each activity is defined by a
set of engineering actions. Each activity is defined by a task set that
indentifies the work items to be completed.
2. How does software team choose the task set for a particular project?
Answer (Section 3.3):
The software chooses the task set based on the characteristics of the
team, the project, and the problem to be solved.
3. How can process patterns assist a development team build software
products efficiently?
Answer (Section 3.4):
Process patterns are proven solutions to commonly encountered
development problems. If developers can recognize that that this is
problem seen before they can use a previously known means of solving it,
without have to take the time to invent a new solution.
Final Exam Questions
1. Why it important for software processes to be agile?
Answer (Chapter 3 Overview):
Software process provides the stability, control, and organization to an
activity to prevent it from becoming chaotic. Yet, modern software
processes must only demand the activities, controls, and work products
that are appropriate for the team and product to be produced – to ensure
that it can accommodate changes easily and deliver a high quality
software product.
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