December
1998 QUESTION 2 Total Marks: 20 Marks |
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| (a) | The following statement has been given as a
definition of software engineering: "The establishment and use of sound engineering
principles in order to develop software that is functional, reliable, and economical."
For each of the three underlined words, describe what you understand each word to mean in relation to software.
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[3] |
| (b) | Two skills which are essential for software
engineers to perform adequately their roles in software development are software skills
and project management skills. In your own words, describe briefly each of these
two skills.
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[2] |
| (c) | Three examples of software developments methods are: the classic life-cycle; prototyping; and 4th generation techniques. In addition, it is possible to combine the major advantages of each of these three methods, at the same time eliminating their respective weakness, and producing a fourth possible method, usually termed the combination life-cycle. | |
| (i) Describe
one major advantage and one major disadvantage of each of the three methods: classic;
prototyping; and 4th generation techniques.
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[6] | |
| (ii) Based on your list of advantages and disadvantages, analyse and
describe how one advantage from one method can eliminate or circumvent the disadvantage
faced in some other method. Do this for all three of the methods.
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[3] | |
| (iii) Draw a diagram of the combination life-cycle, and ensure that you
demonstrate clearly how the individual advantages of the three methods have been combined.
Describe the different steps that you have included in your diagram.
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[6] |