Unit 3: Software Development

(3a. Software Development)

Marks: /46
Answer all the questions.

1. A software company decides to release a duplicate file finder which it has named “De-Duplicator”. Duplicate files
are files that are exactly the same (bit for bit identical). Space is often wasted on computers by having multiple
versions of the same file. Duplicate file finders are programs that find and identify duplicate files on a hard drive
so that they can be removed.

* The software team that produces De-Duplicator decides to make a new version that can detect duplicated
images the previous version could not. The software team must decide which methodology they will use for the
project. Some members of the team suggest extreme programming whilst others would prefer to use the
waterfall lifecycle.

Discuss the two methodologies and justify which you would recommend.

[12]

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
2. A software development company is building an operating system for a mobile phone that is in the process of
being designed.

The developers follow the waterfall lifecycle.

(i) List three stages of the waterfall lifecycle.

3 [3]

(ii) Justify why the waterfall lifecycle is suited to the development of the operating system.

[2]

(iii) Give one disadvantage of using the waterfall lifecycle to develop the operating system.

[1]

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
3.
A procedure takes as input a number between 1 and 100. It calculates and outputs the square of each number
starting from 1, to the number input. The square of a number is the result of multiplying a number by itself.

The procedure needs to be tested.

(i) Describe how black box testing can be used to test a program.

[3]

(ii) For each type of test given in the table, identify two examples of test data that can be used to test the
program.

Test Type Test Data 1 Test Data 2

Normal

Extreme

Invalid

[3]

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
4. Beryl has to write a program that explains patterns in crystals, using the following information.

All the patterns in crystals have two lengths, x and y, and an angle A.

If A is 90° you need to check the lengths.

If the lengths are equal it is a square crystal.
If the lengths are not equal it is a rectangular crystal.
If A is not 90° it may be a hexagonal crystal. These crystals have angles of 60° and 120° and the lengths are
always equal.
If A is not 60° or 90° or 120° it must be a parallelogram crystal if the lengths are not equal, or a rhombic
crystal if the lengths are equal.

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
During alpha testing, both white box testing and black box testing are used.

(i) State what is meant by alpha testing.

[1]

(ii) Describe how Beryl will use white box testing in her program.

[2]

(iii) Beryl prepares a set of test data for black box testing. Three test cases where the angle is exactly 90° are
given in the table below.

Complete the table by stating the values of x and y to be tested, the reason for the test and the expected
outcome. The first row has been completed as an example.

Test data Reason for test Expected outcome

A = 90
The angle is exactly 90 and the two sides SQUARE
x = 100 are exactly equal

y = 100

A = 90

x = ______________

y = ______________

A = 90

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
 x = ______________

y = ______________

[6]

5(a). Given the following pseudocode:

State the value of d if a=42, b=41 and c=42

______________

(b). State the value of d if a=42, b=36 and c=4

______________

(c). State the value of d if a=42, b=36 and c=36

______________

(d). Give one potential value of b if the output value of a=42, c=44 and d=14.

______________

[4]

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
6. A programmer is going to design a procedure that will prompt for and receive two values, A and B. The
procedure will then compare them. The procedure will also write a suitable message to a file on disk depending
on whether:

the values are the same

A is less than B, or
B is less than A.

Use pseudocode to write the procedure.

[5]

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
7. A software development team is writing a word game.

The team is using Rapid Application Development.

Describe the Rapid Application Development process.

[4]

END OF QUESTION PAPER

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
 Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

1 Mark Band 3–High Level 12 If only one methodology considered – MAX

(9–12 marks) 6 marks.
The candidate demonstrates a thorough
knowledge and understanding of both AO1: Knowledge and Understanding
methodologies; the material is generally The following is indicative of possible
accurate and detailed. factors / evidence that candidates may
refer to but is not prescriptive or
The candidate is able to apply their exhaustive:
knowledge and understanding directly and
consistently to the context provided.
Evidence / examples will be explicitly The waterfall lifecycle involves linear
relevant to the explanation. stages whereas XP takes on an agile,
iterative approach.
The candidate is able to weigh up both The waterfall lifecycle establishes
sides of the argument which results in a requirements in early stages and
supported and realistic judgment as to subsequent stages focus on these –
which methodology should be used. new requirements can be adopted
throughout XP.
There is a well-developed line of reasoning The waterfall lifecycle focuses on the
which is clear and logically structured. The end user at the start and then they may
information presented is relevant and be consulted at different points
substantiated. throughout the project whereas an end
user is integral throughout XP.
Mark Band 2–Mid Level In the waterfall lifecycle the
(5–8 marks) development phase focuses on code
The candidate demonstrates reasonable that meets the requirements / design.
knowledge and understanding of both In XP the quality of the code is an
methodologies; the material is generally important factor – paired programming
accurate but at times underdeveloped. The helps focus on this.
candidate is able to apply their knowledge The waterfall lifecycle although
and understanding directly to the context adopted for large projects it can be
provided although one or two opportunities inflexible and limits changing
are missed. Evidence / examples are for requirements.
the most part implicitly relevant to the
explanation. The candidate makes a AO2.1: Application
reasonable attempt to come to a The selected knowledge / examples should
conclusion showing some recognition of be directly related to the specific question.
influencing factors that would determine
which methodology should be used.
Discussion of how the methodologies
There is a line of reasoning presented with would impact upon the choices made
some structure. The information presented regarding abstraction, any
is in the most part relevant and supported preconditions and how they are
by some evidence. addressed.
Discussion around how the
Mark Band 1–Low Level methodologies would impact the order
(1–4 marks) of steps in any procedures and how
The candidate demonstrates a basic sub-procedures would be implemented
knowledge of methodologies with limited How the methodologies could

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

understanding shown; the material is basic potentially affect how decisions and the
and contains some inaccuracies. The logic involved are dealt with and how
candidate makes a limited attempt to apply concurrency is dealt with
acquired knowledge and understanding to Discussion of other social factors that
the context provided. affect the use of the different
methodologies.
The candidate provides nothing more than
an unsupported assertion. AO3.3: Evaluation
The information is basic and Having considered the different sides to
communicated in an unstructured way. The the argument candidates will need to reach
information is supported by limited a supported judgment based on the
evidence and the relationship to the evidence included in their response.
evidence may not be clear.
0 marks There should be no bias in marks as to
No attempt to answer the question or which methodology is chosen but
response is not worthy of credit. especially in the top mark band there must
be a clear link between the points
candidates have made and justification.

e.g.
The waterfall lifecycle establishes
requirements in early stages and
subsequent stages focus on these. New
requirements can be adopted throughout
XP. The requirements in this project are
likely to be static making the Waterfall
model a more appropriate approach.

OR

In the waterfall lifecycle the development

phase focuses on code that meets the
requirements / design. In XP the quality of
the code is an important factor. Paired
programming helps focus on this.

For this utility to be successful it must work

more efficiently than its competitors and
code developed through XP is more likely
to achieve this, therefore XP is a more
appropriate approach.

Total 12

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
 Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

2 i – Feasibility Study 3
– Investigation / Requirements Elicitation
– Analysis
– Design
– Implementation / Coding
– Testing
– Installation
– Documentation
– Evaluation
– Maintenance
(1 per –, max 3)

ii – Tends to suit large scale projects … 2

– ..An OS is an example of such a big
project.
– Tends to suit projects with stable
requirements …
– … And the base requirements of an OS
are unlikely to change.
(1 per –, max 2)

iii If a change does occur in the requirements 1

the lifecycle cannot respond easily, often at
the cost of time and money.

Total 6

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
 Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

3 i 1 mark per bullet 3

Tests the expected output… [1] AO1.2

…based on input [1] (3)
Does not look at the code // looks only
at program specification [1]
Examiner's Comment:
Many candidates had a weak grasp of
different testing methodologies and
confused black box testing with alpha,
beta and white box testing. This was
disappointing as it was a question that
could have been answered well from basic
recall.

ii 1 mark for two suitable normal data 3

1 mark for two suitable extreme data AO2.1
1 mark for two suitable invalid data (3)

Normal: any values between 1 and 100

(inclusive) [1]
Extreme: 1, 100 [1]
Invalid: <1, >100, "x" [1]
Examiner's Comment:
Many candidates could suggest sensible
values for normal test data, but fewer
understood how extreme and invalid data
differed.

Total 6

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
 Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

4 i Testing done by the programmer / 1

Beryl / Developers employee(s) Examiner's Comments

On the whole this was answered well, and

also in the context of the question.

ii Using the source code 2 Accept statements

Check every possible path / condition
statements Examiner's Comments
Dry Runs / Trace Tables
It was not clear from the answers given by
some candidates whether they were
describing black or white box testing. Few
mentioned the use of Dry Runs or Trace
Tables.

iii Award marks in groups of three, for: 6 Note: If expected outcome is wrong then
do not award marks for other columns

Examiner's Comments
Outcome: Rectangle
Reason :Angle 90 and difference This question was on the whole answered
between x and y >= 10% of x poorly. Few candidates took into account
Test data matches the expected the tolerance of < 10% when deciding the
outcome outcome, with a few candidates just
Outcome: Square repeating the example given.
Reason: Angle 90 and difference
between x and y <10% of x
Test data matches expected outcome

Total 9

5 a 16 4 Max 4 marks

b 16

c 15

d 42
43 Examiner's Comments
(max. 1)
Candidates generally achieved some
success, but few scored all four marks.
Those who could reason logically and who
understood the XOR function gained most
credit.

Total 4

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
 Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

6 Read in A and B. 5 Max 5 marks

Correct comparisons
Correct output messages. Accept open file in append mode
Open file
Write to and close file. Examiner's Comments

E.g. Many candidates gained some credit for

this question, but many did not appreciate
the fact that a file needed to be opened
and closed.

Total 5

7 – Prototype is created (1) 4

– (Evaluated and) feedback used to (AO1.1)

inform next iteration (1)

– Any changes are made (1)

– Process repeated until…(1)

…prototype becomes final

product. (1)

Examiner’s Comments
(Max 4) Most candidates gained some marks on
this question but few achieved full marks.
In general responses lacked attention to
detail and clarity of expression. Centres
should advise candidates that the number
of marks awarded for questions gives an
indication of the number of points required
in the response.

Total 4

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)