April
1999 QUESTION 2 Total Marks: 20 Marks |
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| (a) | A specification document can be thought of as
a formal document that states clearly the functional and performance requirements of a
software system. Carefully explain what is meant by the words functional and performance
in relation to this document.
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[2] |
| (b) | One of the specification principles states: A specification must be localised and loosely coupled. Using your own words, explain what this means in relation to the specification.
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[2] |
| (c) | The Prototyping paradigm is a popular life-cycle
that allows for the refinement of specifications. With the aid of a diagram, explain the
different steps in this paradigm.
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[7] |
| (d) | Describe in some detail a possible development
scenario which may require the use of prototyping.
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[2] |
| (e) | It is often thought that the time taken to
develop software using the prototyping paradigm could be larger than the classical
life-cycle. Using your understanding of the prototyping life-cycle, explain why this might
be true.
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[3] |
| (f) | Requirement analysis methods are techniques used to derive a precise and independent description of the software element in a computer-based system. There are several requirement analysis methods that can be used. State and explain in some detail any two common characteristics that are shared by all such methods. | [4] |