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(a)Give
two reasons why fourth generation tools are more suitable than third
generation tools for small to medium sized business application systems.[2
marks ]
Please
do not award half marks.
One mark should be awarded for each reason named (up to a maximum
of two marks). Examples include the following:
• They can increase a developer ’s productivity through
the use of non-procedural coding facilities and preprogrammed functions
that are common to business application systems.
• They can make data entry and report generation very easy fo
the user.
Other valid answers should also receive credit.
[2 marks ]
(b)Give two limitations of fourth generation
tools.[2 marks ]
One mark should be awarded for each limitation named (up to a maximum
of two marks). Examples include the following:
• Many fourth generation tools have limited portability.
• Most fourth generation tools do not support concurrent updates.
• Fourth generation tools are usually suitable only for small
to medium sized applications.
• In general, fourth generation tools only support the implementation
stage of development. Other valid answers should also receive credit.
[2 marks ]
(c)In the context of CASE describe the
following terms:
(i)Front-end tools.[2 marks ]
Front-end
tools automate the early activities of the life cycle (1 mark); such
tools often support the development of graphical models of systems
and processes (1 mark). Other valid answers should also receive credit.
[2 marks ]
(ii)Back-end tools.[2 marks ]
Back-end tools assist in the formulation of program logic, processing
algorithms, etc.(1 mark); such tools convert software logic designs
into code (1 mark). Other valid answers should also receive credit.
[2 marks ]
(iii)Integrated tools.[2
marks ]
Integrated tools provide an environment that automates key tasks throughout
the entire development life cycle (1 mark); such tools include both
front-end and back-end capabilities (1 mark). Other valid answers
should also receive credit. [2 marks ]
(d)What is the ultimate goal of CASE
technology?[1 mark ]
The ultimate goal of CASE technology is to automate the entire development
life cycle with a set of integrated tools. Other valid answers should
also receive credit. [1 mark ]
(e)Describe the following CASE components
(i)Interface generators.[2 marks ]
(i)Interface
generators provide the capability to prepare mock-ups and prototypes
of user interfaces (1 mark).Typically, they support the rapid creation
of demonstration system menus, presentation screens, and support layouts
(1 mark). Other valid answers should also receive credit.
[2 marks ]
(ii)Code generators.[2
marks ]
Code generators automate the preparation of software (1 mark). They
incorporate methods that allow the conversion of system specfications
into
executable source code (1 mark). Other valid answers should also receive
credit. [2 marks ]
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