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Software Engineering - 2018

 


 Software Engineering (BCA-403) Exam, May 2018:

Section-A (Very Short Answer Questions)

1. Define Software Engineering.

Software Engineering is a branch of computer science that focuses on the systematic design, development, testing, and maintenance of software systems. It applies engineering principles to software development to ensure high quality, efficiency, and reliability.

  • IEEE Definition: "Software Engineering is the application of a systematic, disciplined, and quantifiable approach to the development, operation, and maintenance of software."
  • Key Aspects:
    • Systematic approach to software development.
    • Focus on quality, efficiency, and maintainability.
    • Use of software development methodologies (e.g., Agile, Waterfall, DevOps).

2. What are the various types of software maintenance?

Software maintenance is the process of modifying and updating software after deployment. It ensures that the software remains functional, secure, and efficient. The four major types of software maintenance are:

  1. Corrective Maintenance: Fixing bugs and errors in software after deployment.
  2. Adaptive Maintenance: Modifying software to work with new hardware, operating systems, or external environments.
  3. Perfective Maintenance: Enhancing software performance, adding new features, or improving usability.
  4. Preventive Maintenance: Updating software to prevent future issues, such as restructuring code to improve maintainability.

3. What is the software process of the software development life cycle (SDLC)?

The Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is a structured process used for designing, developing, testing, and maintaining software. The key phases of SDLC are:

  1. Requirement Analysis – Understanding user needs and documenting software requirements.
  2. System Design – Creating software architecture and design based on requirements.
  3. Implementation (Coding) – Writing the actual program code.
  4. Testing – Identifying and fixing bugs to ensure software reliability.
  5. Deployment – Releasing the software for end users.
  6. Maintenance – Updating and improving software post-deployment.

Common SDLC models include:

  • Waterfall Model
  • Agile Model
  • Spiral Model
  • V-Model

4. How do software products age?

Software does not "age" in the traditional sense like physical products, but it can become obsolete or inefficient over time. Software aging occurs due to:

  1. Technological Advancements – Newer technologies replace older ones, making existing software outdated.
  2. Changing User Requirements – User needs evolve, requiring software updates.
  3. Software Complexity – Over time, adding new features can make software bloated and difficult to maintain.
  4. Security Vulnerabilities – Older software may have security risks that need continuous updates.
  5. Hardware Compatibility – Software designed for older hardware may not work on modern systems.

To prevent software aging, companies use software re-engineering, refactoring, and updates to keep their products functional.

5. What is software requirement specification (SRS)?

A Software Requirement Specification (SRS) is a document that defines the functional and non-functional requirements of a software project. It acts as a blueprint for developers, testers, and stakeholders.

Key Components of SRS:

  1. Introduction – Overview of the software project.
  2. Functional Requirements – Specific features and functionalities the software must have.
  3. Non-functional Requirements – Performance, security, usability, and reliability aspects.
  4. System Models – Diagrams and flowcharts for better understanding.
  5. Assumptions and Constraints – Limitations and external factors affecting development.

Importance of SRS:

  • Ensures clear communication between stakeholders and developers.
  • Acts as a reference document throughout the SDLC.
  • Reduces misunderstandings and project failures.


Section-B (Short Answer Questions)

6. What are the components of gathering requirements?

Requirement gathering is a crucial step in software development, ensuring that developers fully understand what the client or end-user needs. The process involves multiple components, including:

1. Stakeholder Identification

  • Identify key individuals or groups (clients, end-users, managers) who influence or use the software.
  • Gather input from different stakeholders to cover all perspectives.

2. Requirement Elicitation Techniques

Common methods used to gather requirements include:

  • Interviews – One-on-one discussions with stakeholders.
  • Surveys/Questionnaires – Collecting responses from multiple users.
  • Observation – Watching users interact with current systems to identify gaps.
  • Workshops/Brainstorming – Group discussions for collective insights.
  • Prototyping – Creating a basic model to visualize requirements.

3. Requirement Analysis

  • Sorting and categorizing requirements into functional and non-functional types.
  • Identifying contradictions or conflicts in requirements.
  • Prioritizing requirements based on business and technical feasibility.

4. Documentation (SRS – Software Requirement Specification)

  • Clearly documenting all requirements in an SRS document.
  • Ensuring that the document is detailed, precise, and understandable.

5. Validation and Verification

  • Reviewing the requirements with stakeholders to confirm accuracy.
  • Checking for feasibility and consistency with business objectives.

Importance of Effective Requirement Gathering

  • Prevents misunderstandings that could lead to project failure.
  • Reduces rework and ensures efficient resource utilization.
  • Helps create a clear roadmap for the development process.

7. Discuss the importance of the Agile Process.

The Agile Process is a modern approach to software development that focuses on flexibility, collaboration, and incremental progress. It was introduced as a response to traditional Waterfall models, which were rigid and less adaptable.

Key Principles of Agile (According to Agile Manifesto)

  1. Customer Collaboration Over Contract Negotiation – Continuous interaction with clients for better understanding.
  2. Working Software Over Comprehensive Documentation – Focus on delivering functional software.
  3. Responding to Change Over Following a Plan – Adaptability to market and business needs.
  4. Individuals and Interactions Over Processes and Tools – Emphasis on teamwork and communication.

Benefits of the Agile Process

  • Faster Development – Software is delivered in smaller, workable increments.
  • Flexibility – Changes can be accommodated at any stage.
  • Higher Quality – Frequent testing and feedback ensure fewer bugs.
  • Better Customer Satisfaction – Continuous involvement of clients improves final output.
  • Reduced Risk – Constant iteration minimizes the chance of failure.

Common Agile Frameworks

  • Scrum – Involves short cycles called Sprints, daily meetings, and clear role definitions.
  • Kanban – Focuses on visualizing tasks with a Kanban Board for continuous delivery.
  • Extreme Programming (XP) – Encourages continuous testing and customer involvement.

Challenges of Agile

  • Requires highly skilled teams.
  • Demands constant customer involvement.
  • Less suited for projects with fixed budgets and timelines.

Conclusion

Agile is a powerful methodology that has revolutionized software development, ensuring adaptability, efficiency, and higher customer satisfaction.

8. Discuss the components of Object-Oriented Design (OOD).

Object-Oriented Design (OOD) is a software design approach based on objects, which encapsulate data and behavior. It follows the principles of Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) and is widely used in modern software development.

Key Components of OOD

1. Objects

  • Objects are instances of classes that encapsulate data and behavior.
  • Example: A "Car" object may have properties like color and speed and behaviors like drive() and brake().

2. Classes

  • A class is a blueprint for creating objects.
  • It defines attributes (data members) and methods (functions).
  • Example: 
    class Car {
    String color;
    int speed;
    void drive() {
        System.out.println("Car is moving");
    }
}

3. Encapsulation

  • Restricts direct access to object data and ensures data integrity.
  • Uses private variables with getter and setter methods.
  • Example: 
    class BankAccount {
    private double balance;
    public double getBalance() { return balance; }
    public void setBalance(double amount) { balance = amount; }
}

4. Inheritance

  • Enables a class to inherit properties and behaviors from another class.
  • Promotes code reuse.
  • Example: 
    class Vehicle { 
    int wheels; 
}
class Car extends Vehicle {
    String brand;
}

5. Polymorphism

  • Allows objects to take multiple forms.
  • Implemented using method overloading (same method name, different parameters) and method overriding (redefining a method in a subclass).
  • Example: 
    class Animal {
    void sound() { System.out.println("Animal makes a sound"); }
}
class Dog extends Animal {
    void sound() { System.out.println("Dog barks"); }
}

6. Abstraction

  • Hides unnecessary details and shows only essential information.
  • Implemented using abstract classes and interfaces.
  • Example: 
    abstract class Shape {
    abstract void draw();
}
class Circle extends Shape {
    void draw() { System.out.println("Drawing Circle"); }
}

7. Message Passing

  • Objects communicate by passing messages (method calls).
  • Example: 
    car.drive();

Advantages of OOD

  • Modularity – Easier to manage and update code.
  • Reusability – Inheritance reduces redundant code.
  • Maintainability – Code is easier to debug and modify.
  • Scalability – Suitable for large, complex systems.

Conclusion

Object-Oriented Design is a powerful approach that makes software development efficient, modular, and scalable, ensuring ease of maintenance and future expansion.

Section C: Detailed Answer Questions

Q9: Explain the Software Process

Introduction

The Software Process is a structured sequence of activities required to develop software. It involves planning, designing, coding, testing, and maintenance. A well-defined process improves software quality, reduces costs, and ensures timely delivery.

Phases of the Software Process

  1. Requirement Analysis

    • Identifying user needs and expectations.
    • Creating a Software Requirement Specification (SRS) document.

  2. System Design

    • High-level and low-level design.
    • Use of UML diagrams and flowcharts.

  3. Implementation (Coding)

    • Writing the actual code.
    • Following coding standards and best practices.

  4. Testing

    • Unit Testing: Testing individual components.
    • Integration Testing: Ensuring modules work together.
    • System Testing: Verifying the complete system.

  5. Deployment

    • Software is released for users.
    • Includes beta testing and user training.

  6. Maintenance

    • Fixing bugs and adding new features.
    • Adaptive, Corrective, and Preventive maintenance.

Software Process Models

  • Waterfall Model: Sequential, rigid.
  • Agile Model: Iterative, flexible.
  • Spiral Model: Risk-driven, best for large projects.

Conclusion

A well-defined software process ensures efficient development, high quality, and cost-effectiveness.

Q10: Factors Affecting Maintenance Cost

Introduction

Software maintenance is essential for fixing errors, improving performance, and adapting to new technologies. Maintenance costs can be high and depend on several factors.

Factors Affecting Maintenance Cost

  1. Complexity of Software

    • Higher complexity requires more resources.
    • Poorly structured code increases debugging efforts.

  2. Size of Software

    • Larger applications require frequent updates.
    • More modules mean higher testing costs.

  3. Quality of Initial Code

    • Well-documented code reduces future maintenance costs.
    • Poorly written code increases rework and debugging.

  4. Technology Used

    • Older technologies require costly updates.
    • Use of modern frameworks can reduce costs.

  5. Security Concerns

    • Regular security patches are needed.
    • Increased cybersecurity threats lead to higher costs.

Ways to Reduce Maintenance Costs

  • Better software design (modular, reusable components).
  • Regular documentation and version control.
  • Automated testing for efficiency.

Conclusion

Maintenance costs depend on various factors, but effective planning can minimize expenses.

Q11: Software Re-engineering

Introduction

Software re-engineering is the process of improving an existing system to enhance performance, maintainability, and scalability.

Why Re-engineering?

  • Outdated software becomes inefficient.
  • Better technology allows optimization.
  • Business requirements evolve over time.

Software Re-engineering Process

  1. Reverse Engineering

    • Understanding the existing system.
    • Documenting architecture, logic, and dependencies.

  2. Code Restructuring

    • Improving readability and efficiency.
    • Removing redundant code.

  3. Data Re-engineering

    • Converting databases to newer formats.
    • Optimizing data storage and retrieval.

  4. Forward Engineering

    • Implementing improvements.
    • Modernizing UI, functionalities, and performance.

  5. Testing & Validation

    • Ensuring the updated system meets requirements.
    • Fixing errors introduced during re-engineering.

Advantages

  • Cost-effective compared to full redevelopment.
  • Extends software life with modern technology.
  • Enhances maintainability for future updates.

Conclusion

Software re-engineering is a cost-efficient approach to modernizing old systems.

Q12: CASE Tools and Their Usage in Software Engineering

Introduction

CASE (Computer-Aided Software Engineering) tools assist in software design, development, testing, and maintenance.

Types of CASE Tools

  1. Diagramming Tools

    • Used for UML diagrams, ER diagrams.
    • Examples: Microsoft Visio, Lucidchart.

  2. Code Generators

    • Automate code writing.
    • Examples: Rational Rose, Eclipse Modeling Framework.

  3. Testing Tools

    • Automate software testing.
    • Examples: Selenium, JUnit, LoadRunner.

  4. Project Management Tools

    • Track development progress.
    • Examples: Jira, Trello, Microsoft Project.

  5. Debugging Tools

    • Identify and fix coding errors.
    • Examples: GDB, Visual Studio Debugger.

Benefits of CASE Tools

  • Increases productivity by automating tasks.
  • Enhances software quality through consistency.
  • Reduces errors by identifying issues early.

Conclusion

CASE tools improve efficiency, accuracy, and project management in software engineering.

Q13: Maintenance Activities in Detail

Introduction

Software maintenance ensures that software continues to function correctly, securely, and efficiently after deployment.

Types of Maintenance Activities

  1. Corrective Maintenance

    • Fixing bugs and errors reported by users.
    • Resolving unexpected system failures.

  2. Adaptive Maintenance

    • Modifying software for new environments.
    • Example: Updating software to run on Windows 11.

  3. Perfective Maintenance

    • Adding new features and improving performance.
    • Example: Enhancing UI design.

  4. Preventive Maintenance

    • Optimizing code to prevent future issues.
    • Example: Refactoring code.

Maintenance Process

  1. Problem Identification & Reporting
  2. Impact Analysis
  3. Implementation of Changes
  4. Testing & Validation
  5. Documentation Updates

Conclusion

Effective software maintenance extends software lifespan, improves performance, and ensures security.

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