Chapter 1 Summary: Introduction to Software Engineering

1.1 What is Software Engineering?

 Software Engineering combines software (programming code, libraries,

and documentation) and engineering principles.
 IEEE Definition:
1. A systematic approach to developing and maintaining software.
2. A study of the methodologies involved.

1.2 Software Development

 Software is not just a program but a collection of components built to

meet specific user needs.
 Software can be tailored for general or specialized use.

1.3 Software Evolution

 Software changes to adapt to user needs or technological advancements.

 Laws of Software Evolution (Lehman):
1. Continuing change.
2. Increasing complexity.
3. Self-regulation.

1.4 Software Paradigms

 Frameworks and approaches for designing software:

o Procedural, Object-Oriented, and Component-Based paradigms.

1.5 The Need for Software Engineering

 To manage the complexity of large-scale systems.

 Ensures reliability, scalability, and maintainability.

1.6 Characteristics of Good Software

 Should meet functionality, performance, and user requirements.

 Attributes: Maintainability, Efficiency, Usability, and Dependability.

1.7 Software Development Ethics

 Following professional standards and ethical practices.

 Code of Ethics principles by ACM and IEEE:
 1. Public interest first.
2. Act in the best interests of the client and employer.
3. Uphold professional standards.

1. What is the IEEE definition of Software Engineering?

o A) A set of programming tools
o B) Application of systematic methods to software development
o C) Writing code efficiently
o D) A type of software testing
2. Which of the following is NOT a component of software?
o A) Executable code
o B) Libraries
o C) Documentation
o D) Hardware
3. Software Engineering aims to:
o A) Develop standalone programs
o B) Use scientific methods for software design
o C) Create hardware systems
o D) None of the above
4. Software is considered to be:
o A) A collection of executable code only
o B) Libraries without documentation
o C) A collection of code, libraries, and documentation
o D) Binary code of programs
5. Which of the following is NOT a software category?
o A) Application software
o B) Embedded software
o C) Hardware components
o D) System software
6. Software developed for a specific need is called:
o A) Packaged software
o B) Tailored software
o C) Application software
o D) Firmware
7. Fritz Bauer defined Software Engineering as:
o A) A discipline for writing efficient code
o B) Applying engineering principles for reliable software
o C) Managing software lifecycle
o D) Testing software modules
8. Which of the following is NOT a software characteristic?
o A) Scalability
 o B) Maintainability
o C) Durability
o D) Usability
9. What does software evolution refer to?
o A) Initial software development
o B) Adapting software to meet new demands
o C) Testing software systems
o D) None of the above
10. The first law of software evolution states:
o A) Software must be scalable
o B) Software will continuously change
o C) Software needs testing
o D) Software obsolescence
11. Lehman’s laws of software evolution apply to:
o A) Small programs
o B) Evolving software systems
o C) Hardware components
o D) None of the above
12. Which of the following is a characteristic of the object-oriented
paradigm?
o A) Functions only
o B) Procedural workflows
o C) Data encapsulation and inheritance
o D) None of the above
13. The procedural paradigm is based on:
o A) Classes and objects
o B) Data abstraction
o C) Step-by-step instructions
o D) Logical circuits
14. Component-based software engineering focuses on:
o A) Developing software from scratch
o B) Reusing existing software modules
o C) Procedural design
o D) None of the above
15. Which paradigm is most suitable for scalable, large-scale
systems?
o A) Object-oriented
o B) Procedural
o C) Component-based
o D) Both A and C
16. Which is NOT a characteristic of good software?
 o A) Maintainability
o B) Usability
o C) Complexity
o D) Scalability
17. Which attribute ensures software performs as expected under
defined conditions?
o A) Usability
o B) Dependability
o C) Scalability
o D) Efficiency
18. Efficiency in software design refers to:
o A) Low power usage
o B) Optimal use of system resources
o C) High throughput
o D) User satisfaction
19. The Code of Ethics for software professionals is defined by:
o A) ISO
o B) ACM and IEEE
o C) ISO and ANSI
o D) None of the above
20. The principle of “Public” in the Code of Ethics states:
o A) Acting for self-interest
o B) Consistency with public interest
o C) Providing all data to the public
o D) None of the above
21. Ethical responsibilities of software engineers include:
o A) Ensuring reliability and security
o B) Sacrificing quality for faster delivery
o C) Withholding information from clients
o D) Acting only in personal interest
22. Which law of software evolution deals with increasing
complexity?
o A) Law of self-regulation
o B) Law of continuing change
o C) Law of increasing complexity
o D) None of the above
23. In software development, maintainability ensures:
o A) Quick adaptability to new requirements
o B) High initial development cost
o C) Reduced user satisfaction
o D) None of the above
24. Reusing existing software components is part of:
o A) Procedural programming
o B) Component-based software engineering
o C) Object-oriented programming
o D) None of the above
25. Good software must satisfy which requirements?
o A) Functional
o B) Non-functional
o C) Both functional and non-functional
o D) None of the above
26. Which of the following is an example of a non-functional
requirement?
o A) System must allow user login
o B) System must respond within 2 seconds
o C) System must process payments
o D) System must generate reports
27. The law of software evolution that states software evolves to
become more complex is:
o A) Self-regulation
o B) Increasing complexity
o C) Continuing growth
o D) Decreasing entropy
28. Which software attribute measures ease of use?
o A) Efficiency
o B) Usability
o C) Scalability
o D) Maintainability
29. Which paradigm emphasizes “objects” as the central element?
o A) Object-oriented paradigm
o B) Procedural paradigm
o C) Component-based paradigm
o D) Logical paradigm
30. Procedural programming organizes code based on:
o A) Objects and classes
o B) Functions and sequences
o C) Components and modules
o D) None of the above
31. Software ethics focuses on:
o A) Client interests
o B) Public safety and welfare
o C) Following engineering standards
 o D) All of the above
32. Which is an ethical responsibility of a software engineer?
o A) Sacrificing safety for cost
o B) Ensuring public interest
o C) Disregarding confidentiality agreements
o D) None of the above
33. Which of the following represents a challenge in software
engineering?
o A) Developing error-free software
o B) Managing software complexity
o C) Avoiding maintenance altogether
o D) Both A and B
34. A systematic approach to software engineering helps to:
o A) Reduce software costs
o B) Improve reliability
o C) Ensure quality standards
o D) All of the above
35. Which is NOT an advantage of object-oriented programming?
o A) Code reusability
o B) Simplified debugging
o C) Data encapsulation
o D) Requires no planning
36. Software testing primarily ensures:
o A) Reduced development cost
o B) Fewer hardware dependencies
o C) Software correctness and quality
o D) Scalability of the system
37. The success of software projects depends on:
o A) Strict deadlines
o B) Adherence to software engineering principles
o C) Usage of the latest technology
o D) None of the above
38. Which software type is generally pre-installed in electronic
devices?
o A) Tailored software
o B) Firmware
o C) Engineering software
o D) Application software
39. Which is NOT a phase of the software lifecycle?
o A) Maintenance
o B) Design
 oC) Deployment
o D) Manufacturing
40. Reusability in software reduces:
o A) Complexity
o B) Cost and development time
o C) Reliability
o D) Scalability
41. Which of the following is NOT one of Lehman’s laws of software
evolution?
o A) Continuing change
o B) Increasing complexity
o C) Software entropy
o D) Self-regulation
42. Which paradigm uses “inheritance” as a key feature?
o A) Procedural paradigm
o B) Object-oriented paradigm
o C) Functional paradigm
o D) None of the above

43. Dependability in software engineering refers to:

o A) Usability and efficiency
o B) Reliability and maintainability
o C) Scalability and reusability
o D) Both A and B
44. Which is an ethical responsibility of a software engineer?
o A) Sacrificing safety for cost
o B) Ensuring public interest
o C) Disregarding confidentiality agreements
o D) None of the above
45. Which of the following represents a challenge in software
engineering?
o A) Developing error-free software
o B) Managing software complexity
o C) Avoiding maintenance altogether
o D) Both A and B
46. A systematic approach to software engineering helps to:
o A) Reduce software costs
o B) Improve reliability
o C) Ensure quality standards
o D) All of the above
47. Which is NOT an advantage of object-oriented programming?
o A) Code reusability
 B) Simplified debugging
o
o C) Data encapsulation
o D) Requires no planning
48. Software testing primarily ensures:
o A) Reduced development cost
o B) Fewer hardware dependencies
o C) Software correctness and quality
o D) Scalability of the system
49. The success of software projects depends on:
o A) Strict deadlines
o B) Adherence to software engineering principles
o C) Usage of the latest technology
o D) None of the above
50. Which software type is generally pre-installed in electronic
devices?
o A) Tailored software
o B) Firmware
o C) Engineering software
o D) Application software

Answers

1. B
2. D
3. B
4. C
5. C
6. B
7. B
8. C
9. B
10. B
11. B
12. C
13. C
14. B
15. D
16. C
17. B
18. B
19. B
20. B
21. A
22. C
23. A
24. B
25. C
26. B
27. B
28. B
29. A
30. B
31. D
32. B
33. D
34. D
35. D
36. C
37. B
38. B
39. D
40. B
41. C
42. B
43. B
44. B
45. D
46. D
47. D
48. C
49. C
50. B