SOFTWARE ENGINEERING
Q.1) Explain incremental process model with suitable examples.
Ans:-
The Incremental Process Model is a method of software development where the
product is designed, implemented, and tested incrementally (a little more is added
each time) until the product is finished. It involves both development and
maintenance. The product is defined as finished when it satisfies all of its
requirements. This model combines elements of the waterfall model with the
iterative philosophy of prototyping.
Characteristics of the Incremental Process Model:
- **Divides the product into builds:** The product is decomposed into a number
of components, each of which is developed and delivered until the full product is
completed.
- **Incremental Planning:** Early increments are often widely spaced. Later
increments are closer together. This allows for detailed and broad system
functionality to be delivered without having to wait until every detail is complete.
- **Multiple Development Cycles:** There are multiple development cycles
(mini-Waterfalls or Agile Sprints), making it easier to manage and review. Each
cycle delivers a part of the product.
- **Flexibility:** Changes can be accommodated more easily than in models
where the full set of requirements must be known up front.
Examples of the Incremental Process Model:
1. **Software Development:**
- **Web Application Development:** A web-based retail application might be
developed incrementally. The first increment could be a basic shopping cart
feature. Subsequent increments add functionality like user reviews,
recommendation systems, and payment gateway integrations.
**Mobile App Development:** For a mobile health tracking app, the first
increment might offer basic activity tracking. Later increments could introduce
diet tracking, sleep quality analysis, and integration with wearable devices.
2. **Game Development:**
- Incremental development is often used, starting with a playable core game
(the "minimum viable product" or MVP) that includes the fundamental gameplay
mechanics. Additional features like extra levels, multiplayer modes, and
enhanced graphics are added in later increments.
3. **Enterprise Software:**
- Implementing a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system can be done
incrementally. Initially, core modules such as Finance and HR might be rolled
out. Subsequent phases could introduce Inventory Management, Customer
Relationship Management (CRM), and other specialized modules.
Q.2) Enumerate the various aspects which you will study while conducting a
detail study of Business process.
Ans:-
When conducting a detailed study of a business process, you're essentially
looking at how a company gets things done, step by step, to achieve its goals.
Here are the key aspects you'd typically examine:
1. **Process Flow:** This is about understanding the sequence of steps that are
taken to complete a particular task or process. It's like mapping out a journey from
start to finish.
2. **Input and Output:** For each process, you need to know what you need to
start (input) and what you expect at the end (output). Inputs can be things like
information, materials, or effort, and outputs are the results, such as a product,
service, or decision.
3. **Tools and Technology:** This covers the equipment, software, and
technology used in the process. It's like looking at what kind of machinery or
computer programs are needed to get the job done.
4. **Roles and Responsibilities:** This aspect identifies who is involved in each
step of the process and what their duties are. Think of it as outlining who does
what.
5. **Timing:** This involves how long each step should take and the overall
timeline for the process. It helps in understanding the pace at which work flows
through the process.
6. **Cost:** This includes the expenses related to executing the process. It's
about figuring out how much money is required to operate and complete the
process efficiently.
7. **Quality Control:** This area focuses on how the quality of the output is
checked and maintained. It involves setting standards and checking if the final
product or service meets those standards.
Q.3) What are the risks associated with software projects? How do project
managers manage such risks.
Ans:-
Software projects come with a variety of risks, or potential problems, that can
affect their success. Understanding these risks and managing them effectively is
crucial for project managers. Here's a simple breakdown:
Common Risks in Software Projects:
1. **Requirements Risks:** Sometimes, what the project needs to accomplish
isn’t clear, or it changes a lot. This can make the project harder to finish.
2. **Technical Risks:** The technology needed for the project might be new or
untested, making it uncertain how well things will work out.
3. **Project Management Risks:** Poor planning, unrealistic timeframes, or not
enough resources (like money or people) can derail a project.
4. **Personnel Risks:** Losing team members or not having the right skills in
the team can slow down progress.
5. **Budget Risks:** Running out of money before the project is finished is a big
concern.
6. **Quality Risks:** The final software might not meet the standards or
requirements expected, affecting how useful or successful it is.
How Project Managers Manage Risks:
1. **Identify Risks Early:** The first step is to figure out what could go wrong
by talking to team members, looking at past projects, and analyzing the project
plan.
2. **Analyze Risks:** Understand how likely each risk is to happen and what
impact it would have. This helps in prioritizing which risks to focus on.
3. **Plan Responses:** For each major risk, the project manager creates a plan.
This might include finding ways to lower the chance of the risk happening or
reducing its impact if it does happen.
4. **Assign Risk Owners:** Someone on the team is made responsible for
watching each risk and implementing the plan if necessary.
5. **Monitor and Review:** Risks are tracked throughout the project, and plans
are updated as things change. New risks might be identified along the way, too.
6. **Communication:** Keeping everyone informed about potential risks and
how they are being managed is important. This includes the team, stakeholders,
and sometimes customers.
Q.4) Explain functional and non-functional requirement of SRS.
Ans:-
In the world of software development, when we start planning a new application
or system, we create something called a Software Requirements Specification
(SRS) document. This document is like a big list of everything the software needs
to do and how it should perform. Within this list, there are two main types of
requirements: functional and non-functional.
Functional Requirements:
Think of functional requirements as the actions or tasks the software must
perform. They are the "what" the system should do. For example, if you're
building an email application, a functional requirement might be:
- The system must allow users to send emails.
- The system must allow users to receive and read emails.
- The system must allow users to delete emails.
These requirements focus on specific operations or behaviors of the system in
response to inputs. They are about the direct interactions users have with the
software.
Non-Functional Requirements:
Non-functional requirements, on the other hand, describe how the system
performs a task, rather than what tasks it performs. They are the "how" of the
system, focusing on the quality and criteria the system must meet. These often
include:
- **Performance:** How fast does the system respond to inputs? For our email
application, a non-functional requirement might be that emails should be sent
within 2 seconds of clicking the send button.
- **Usability:** How easy is it for users to learn and use the system? The email
application should be user-friendly, with intuitive navigation.
- **Reliability:** How often does the system work without crashing or losing
data? The system might need to have a 99.9% uptime.
- **Security:** How well does the system protect against unauthorized access?
The system must encrypt emails to protect user privacy.
Non-functional requirements are about the overall qualities of the system, which
make the software good, secure, and enjoyable to use.
Q.5) Define Software Prototyping. What are the benefits of prototyping?
Ans:-
Software Prototyping is like creating a preliminary model of a software
application. Imagine you want to build a new house. Before the actual
construction starts, you might want a small model or blueprint of the house to see
what it will look like and make changes if needed. Software Prototyping works
similarly. It's about making a simplified version of a software program before
developing the full application. This prototype is a working model that has some
of the functionalities of the intended software but is not complete.
Benefits of Prototyping:
1. **Feedback and Understanding:** Prototyping allows developers and clients
(or users) to interact with the prototype, providing an opportunity for feedback
early in the development process. This helps in understanding user needs and
expectations more clearly.
2. **Changes Are Easier:** It's much easier to make changes in the prototype
stage than after the software has been fully developed. This flexibility can save a
lot of time and money.
3. **Reduces Misunderstandings:** Since a prototype is something you can see
and interact with, it reduces the chances of misunderstandings between
developers and clients. Everyone has a clearer idea of what the final product will
look like.
4. **Tests Usability:** Prototypes can be used to test the software's usability. It
helps in identifying any design or functionality issues early on, ensuring a user-
friendly product.
5. **Helps in Planning:** By creating a prototype, project teams can get a better
understanding of the effort, time, and cost involved in developing the full
software. This aids in more accurate planning and resource allocation.
6. **Better End Product:** Overall, prototyping contributes to creating a better
final product. It ensures that the software is more aligned with user needs and
expectations, has fewer bugs, and offers a better user experience.
Q.6) Discuss about Software Metrics for small organisations.
Ans:-
Software metrics are like measuring tools that help software development teams
understand how well their projects are doing. For small organizations, these
metrics can be especially important because they often work with limited
resources and need to make sure they are using their time and money as efficiently
as possible. Let's break down what software metrics are and why they're useful
for small organizations, using simple terms and examples.
### What are Software Metrics?
Think of software metrics as the health checkup reports for a software project.
Just like how a doctor uses different tests to check how healthy you are, software
metrics give you various numbers and indicators about the health of a software
project. These can include how many bugs are found, how long it takes to add
new features, or how satisfied users are with the software.
### Why are they important for small organizations?
1. **Limited Resources:** Small teams don't have as much time or as many
people to spare. Metrics help them understand where to focus their efforts for the
best results.
2. **Improving Quality:** By tracking bugs or issues, small organizations can
ensure their software is as bug-free as possible, which is crucial for keeping users
happy.
3. **Efficiency:** Metrics can show where the development process is slowing
down, helping teams find ways to work faster or more efficiently.
4. **Customer Satisfaction:** For small organizations, keeping users happy is
crucial. Metrics can help track how users feel about the software and what
improvements could make them happier.
Q.7) Explain briefly project size estimation.
Ans:-
Project size estimation is like trying to figure out how big a puzzle is before you
start putting it together. In the world of software development, it's about
estimating how much work, time, and resources will be needed to complete a
software project before you actually start working on it. This is really important
because it helps plan the project, decide on deadlines, and set a budget.
Here’s how it's typically done, explained in a simple way:
### 1. **Analogous Estimation:**
This method is like using an old recipe to cook a new dish. You look at similar
projects you've done in the past and guess how big the new project will be based
on those. If you made a small app in two months last time, a similar app might
take about the same time.
### 2. **Parametric Estimation:**
Imagine you’re planning a road trip and you know the distance and how fast you
can drive; you can estimate how long the trip will take. In software, this involves
using mathematical models to estimate project size based on certain parameters,
like the number of features (stops along the way) or the amount of code to be
written (miles to be traveled).
### 3. **Expert Judgment:**
This is like asking a chef how long it’ll take to prepare a meal. You ask
experienced people who have worked on similar projects to make an educated
guess based on their knowledge and experience.
### 4. **Bottom-Up Estimation:**
This method is like planning a big party and deciding everything you need, from
decorations to food. You break down the project into smaller pieces, estimate the
size of each piece, and then add them all up to get the total project size. It’s
detailed and can be pretty accurate but takes more time.
### 5. **Three-Point Estimation:**
This is a bit like guessing the time it'll take to do a big shopping trip, considering
the best case (super quick, no lines), worst case (long lines, items not in stock),
and most likely scenario. You use these three estimates to calculate an average
time that accounts for uncertainty.
### Why Estimate Project Size?
- **Planning:** Knowing the size helps in planning how many people you’ll need
and how long the project will take.
- **Budgeting:** It helps in estimating how much the project will cost.
- **Setting Expectations:** It allows you to set realistic deadlines and manage
the expectations of stakeholders.
Q.8) Role of LOC in software project size estimation.
Ans:-
LOC, or Lines of Code, is a simple measure used to estimate the size of a software
project. Think of it like measuring the square footage of a house to get an idea of
how big it is. In software development, counting the lines of code is a way to
gauge the project's size and complexity.
### How LOC Plays a Role in Project Size Estimation:
1. **Basic Measure of Size:** Just as the number of rooms can give you a rough
idea of a house's size, the number of lines of code can give you a basic sense of
how large or small a software project is.
2. **Estimating Effort and Time:** Historically, developers have observed a
relationship between the amount of code and the effort required to develop it.
More lines of code usually mean more work, which translates to more time and
more people needed to complete the project.
3. **Comparing Projects:** LOC can be used to compare the size of different
software projects. If one project has 10,000 lines of code and another has 20,000,
you might initially think the second project is bigger or more complex.
4. **Budgeting:** By estimating the size of the project in lines of code,
organizations can also estimate the cost. They use historical data to calculate how
much it typically costs to develop a certain amount of code.
### Limitations of LOC:
While LOC is a straightforward measure, it has its limitations.
- **Not Always Accurate:** Different programming languages can accomplish
the same task with different numbers of lines. Also, more code doesn’t always
mean more complexity or effort.
- **Quality Over Quantity:** Sometimes, writing code more concisely is a sign
of experience and skill, meaning less code could actually require more expertise
and effort.
- **Doesn't Account for Non-Coding Work:** A lot of software development
work involves planning, designing, testing, and fixing bugs. LOC estimates don't
directly account for these tasks.
Q.9) Difference Between Black Box and white box testing.
Ans:-
Q.10) Software Quality Assurance and Software Quality Control.
Ans:-
Q.11) Alpha Testing and Beta testing
Ans:-
