SECTION-A (2 Marks Each)

1. Define software engineering.

Ans:- Software engineering is the process of designing, developing, testing, and maintaining software systems
in a systematic and disciplined way. It applies engineering principles to software development to ensure

reliability and efficiency.

2. What is SRS document?

Ans:- An SRS (Software Requirements Specification) document defines all the functional and non-functional
requirements of a system. It acts as a bridge between clients and developers to clearly state what the software

must do.

3. What is clean room strategy?

Ans:- Clean room strategy is a software development approach where software is developed and tested in a
way that prevents errors rather than detecting and fixing them later. It emphasizes defect prevention through

formal methods and statistical quality control.

4. What is Gantt chart?

Ans:- A Gantt chart is a type of bar chart used in project management to represent a project schedule. It shows
activities or tasks against time, making it easier to track project progress visually.

5. What is prototyping?

Ans:- Prototyping is the process of creating a working model of the software to understand its functionalities.
It helps users and developers refine requirements early before the final product is developed.

6. What are project risks with example?

Ans:- Project risks are uncertain events that can affect a project's success. They might cause delays,
increase costs, or lower the quality of the work.

Example: If a supplier delivers materials late, the whole project might get delayed.
SECTION-B (5 Marks Each)

7. Explain Agile process model.

Ans:- The Agile process model is a flexible and iterative approach to software development. Instead of
delivering the product all at once, it is built in small parts called 'iterations' or 'sprints.' Each sprint usually lasts

2-4 weeks and results in a working product increment. Agile promotes customer collaboration, quick responses

to changes, and continuous improvement. Popular Agile methods include Scrum, Kanban, and Extreme

Programming (XP).

8. Explain types of box structure specification.

Ans:- Box structure specification is a method used to describe software design at different levels of abstraction.
It includes:

- Black Box: Focuses only on input and output without describing the internal workings.

- State Box: Adds information about internal state changes inside the box along with input and output.

- Clear Box (or Glass Box): Describes internal structures and processing logic.

This step-by-step refinement helps developers understand the system better and ensures a smooth transition

from requirement to implementation.

9. Explain roles and responsibilities of project manager.

Ans:- A project manager plays a key role in ensuring the success of a software project. Main responsibilities
include:

- Planning: Define project scope, tasks, timelines, and resources.

- Organizing: Set up the team structure and assign responsibilities.

- Leading: Motivate the team, communicate effectively, and resolve conflicts.

- Monitoring: Track the progress and make adjustments as needed.

- Closing: Deliver the project and ensure client satisfaction.

They act as a bridge between clients, team members, and stakeholders.

10. Mention the difference between verification and validation.

Ans:- Verification checks whether the software meets the specified requirements (Are we building the
product right?). It involves activities like reviews, inspections, and walkthroughs.

- Validation checks whether the developed software meets the actual needs of the user (Are we building the

right product?). It includes actual testing activities.

In short, verification ensures correctness, while validation ensures usefulness.

11. Explain software project scheduling process.

Ans:- Software project scheduling involves defining tasks, estimating time and resources, and setting
deadlines. The key steps are:

- Identify all activities involved.

- Break down tasks into smaller parts (Work Breakdown Structure - WBS).

- Estimate the time and resources needed.

- Assign responsibilities to team members.

- Sequence activities and define dependencies.

- Monitor and adjust the schedule during project execution.

Good scheduling ensures projects are completed on time and within budget.

12. Explain ISO standards for software industry.

Ans:- ISO (International Organization for Standardization) provides guidelines for quality management in
software development. Important standards include:

- ISO 9001: Focuses on overall quality management systems.

- ISO/IEC 12207: Covers software lifecycle processes.

- ISO/IEC 27001: Deals with information security management.

These standards help organizations maintain quality, improve processes, and gain customer trust.
 IV Semester B.C.A. (Theory) Degree Examination, July / August – 2024
COMPUTER APPLICATIONS
Software Engineering
(NEP Scheme)

SECTION – C

III. Answer any Four questions. Each question carries 8 marks.

13. Explain waterfall model with illustrations.
Ans = The waterfall Model is a linear and sequential approach to software
development where each phase must be completed before moving to the
next. It is on of the oldest and most straightforward SDLC (software
Development Life Cycle) models.
Phases of the waterfall model (with illustrations)
1. Requirements Gathering & Analysis
a. All possible system requirements are collected and documented.
b. Output: Software requirements are collected and documented.
2. System Design

a. The software architecture is designed based on SRS.

b. Output: Design Document (DD) with system diagrams.

3. Implementation (Coding)

a. Developers write code based on the design documents.

b. Output: Working software modules.

4. Testing

a. The developed software is tested for defects.

b. Output: Test reports and bug fixes.
5. Deployment

a. The software is released to the customer.

b. Output: Deployed system in the production environment.
6. Maintenance

a. Bug fixes, updates, and improvements are made.

b. Output: Enhanced software versions.

Illustration of Waterfall Model

┌───────────────────────┐
│ Requirements Gathering│
└──────────┬────────────┘
↓
┌───────────────────────┐
│ System Design │
└──────────┬────────────┘
↓
┌───────────────────────┐
│ Implementation │
└──────────┬────────────┘
↓
┌───────────────────────┐
│ Testing │
└──────────┬────────────┘
↓
┌───────────────────────┐
│ Deployment │
└──────────┬────────────┘
↓
┌───────────────────────┐
│ Maintenance │

Advantages
a. Simple and easy to understand.
 b. Works well for small, well-defined projects.
c. Clear documentation at each stage.

Disadvantages
a. No going back to previous phases (rigid).
b. High risk of failure if requirements change.
c. Testing happens late in the cycle.

14. a) Explain extreme programming.

Ans = Extreme Programming (XP) is an agile software development
methodology that focuses on customer satisfaction, frequent releases, and
high-quality code. It emphasizes continuous feedback, teamwork, and
adaptability to changing requirements.
Key Features of XP:
1. Pair Programming – Two developers work together on the same code
for better quality.
2. Test-Driven Development (TDD) – Tests are written before the actual
code to ensure reliability.
3. Frequent Releases – Small, incremental updates are delivered regularly.
4. Continuous Integration (CI) – Code is integrated and tested multiple
times a day.
5. Customer Collaboration – Constant feedback from the customer
ensures alignment with needs.

B. Explain the types of formal specification language.

Ans = Types of Formal Specification Languages
Formal specification languages are used to precisely define software
requirements and behavior using mathematical notation.

1. Model-Based Languages
 • Describe the system using mathematical models (e.g., states,
transitions).
• Examples:
o Z Notation (Uses set theory and predicate logic)
o VDM (Vienna Development Method) (Based on formal modeling)
2. Algebraic Languages
• Define system behavior using abstract data types and equations.
• Focus on operations and their relationships.
• Example:
o OBJ, Larch
3. Process-Based Languages
• Specify concurrent and distributed systems using process interactions.
• Examples:
o CSP (Communicating Sequential Processes)
o CCS (Calculus of Communicating Systems)
4. Logic-Based Languages
• Use formal logic (e.g., temporal logic) to specify system properties.
• Examples:
o Temporal Logic (For time-dependent behavior)
o First-Order Logic (FOL)

15. Explain the techniques of Black box Testing.

Ans = Black Box Testing is a software testing method where the internal
structure/code is not known to the tester. The focus is on input-output
behavior and functional requirements.
1. Equivalence Partitioning
• Divides input data into valid and invalid partitions.
 • Test cases are derived from each partition.
• Example:
o For a login field accepting ages 18-60, test:
▪ Valid: 25 (within range)
▪ Invalid: 10 (below range), 70 (above range)
2. Boundary Value Analysis (BVA)
• Tests boundary values (edges of input ranges).
• Errors often occur at boundaries.
• Example:
o If a system accepts 1-100, test:
▪ 0, 1, 2 (lower boundary)
▪ 99, 100, 101 (upper boundary)
3. Decision Table Testing
• Used for business logic with multiple conditions.
• Creates a table of inputs, rules, and expected outputs.
• Example:
o Testing a discount rule:
▪ Conditions: Membership (Yes/No), Purchase Amount
(>1000)
▪ Actions: Apply Discount (Yes/No)
4. State Transition Testing
▪ Tests systems with state changes (e.g., login attempts).
▪ Uses a state transition diagram.
▪ Example:
▪ ATM:
▪ States: Idle → Card Inserted → PIN Entered → Transaction
5. Error Guessing
 ▪ Based on tester’s experience to predict error-prone areas.
▪ No formal technique; relies on intuition.
▪ Example:
▪ Testing a form for SQL injection vulnerabilities
6. Use Case Testing
• Tests end-user scenarios (real-world usage).
• Based on use case diagrams.
• Example:
o E-commerce:
▪ Use Case: "Add to Cart → Checkout → Payment"

16. a) Explain W5HH principles for project management.

Ans = The W5HH principle, proposed by Barry Boehm, is a project
management framework that helps in defining key aspects of software
project planning and execution.
1. Why is the system being developed?
• Defines the purpose and business objectives of the project.
• Ensures alignment with organizational goals.
2. What will be done?
• Specifies the scope, deliverables, and functionalities.
• Helps in requirement analysis and prioritization.
3. When will it be done?
• Establishes timelines, milestones, and deadlines.
• Supports scheduling and progress tracking.
4. Who is responsible?
• Assigns roles and responsibilities to team members.
 • Defines stakeholders, developers, testers, and managers.
5. Where are they organizationally located?
• Identifies the team structure and work environment (onsite/remote).
• Helps in resource allocation and coordination.

b) Explain code Restructuring and data restructuring in Reverse

engineering.
Ans = 1. Code Restructuring
• Definition: The process of improving and optimizing existing source
code without changing its functionality.
• Purpose:
o Enhances readability, maintainability, and performance.
o Removes dead code, redundancy, and inefficiencies.
• Techniques:
o Refactoring (simplifying complex code structures).
o Modularization (breaking code into reusable modules).
o Loop optimization (reducing nested loops for efficiency).
2. Data Restructuring
• Definition: The process of reorganizing and optimizing data structures
(databases, files, variables) for better efficiency.
• Purpose:
o Improves data access speed and storage efficiency.
o Ensures consistency and integrity of data.
• Techniques:
o Database normalization (reducing redundancy).
o Index optimization (faster query performance).
 o Data type refinement (using appropriate data types).

17. a) Explain the principle of Risk management.

Ans= Risk management is a systematic process to identify, analyze, and
mitigate risks in a project or organization. Its core principles are:
1. Risk Identification
• Recognizing potential threats and opportunities that could impact
objectives.
• Tools: Brainstorming, SWOT analysis, checklists.
2. Risk Analysis
• Evaluating the probability and impact of identified risks.
• Methods: Qualitative (severity ratings) & Quantitative (numeric
models).
3. Risk Prioritization
• Ranking risks based on their severity and urgency.
• Uses Risk Matrix (Likelihood vs. Impact).
4. Risk Mitigation
• Taking actions to reduce, transfer, avoid, or accept risks.
• Strategies: Contingency plans, insurance, diversification.
5. Monitoring & Review
• Continuously tracking risks and updating mitigation strategies.
• Ensures adaptive risk management.
Key Focus Areas
• Proactive approach (prevent rather than react).
• Stakeholder involvement (team awareness & responsibility).
• Documentation (maintain risk registers for accountability).
b) what is re-engineering? Explain the process of it.
Ans = Re-engineering is the process of restructuring or redesigning an existing
system, process, or product to improve efficiency, performance, and
maintainability without altering its core functionality.
Process of Re-engineering
1. Inventory Analysis
o Identify legacy systems/components that need improvement.
o Prioritize based on cost, risk, and business value.
2. Documentation & Understanding
o Study existing code, design, and data structures.
o Reverse engineer if documentation is missing.

3. Restructuring

o Code Restructuring: Optimize logic, remove redundancy, improve

readability.
o Data Restructuring: Reorganize databases for better performance
(e.g., normalization).
4. Testing & Validation

o Ensure the re-engineered system meets functional and non-

functional requirements.
o Conduct regression testing to verify no new defects are
introduced.
5. Deployment & Maintenance

o Implement the improved system with minimal downtime.

o Monitor performance and fix post-deployment issues.

18. a) what is Software process Improvement (SPI) process.

Ans= Software Process Improvement (SPI) is a systematic approach
to enhance software development processes to achieve higher quality,
efficiency, and productivity.
Key Steps in SPI Process
 1. Process Assessment
o Evaluate current processes using models like CMMI (Capability
Maturity Model Integration) or ISO/IEC 15504 (SPICE).
o Identify strengths, weaknesses, and improvement areas.
2. Define Improvement Goals
o Set measurable objectives (e.g., reduce defects by 20%, improve
delivery time).
o Align goals with business and customer needs.

3. Plan & Implement Changes

o Design new/improved processes (e.g., adopt Agile, automate

testing).
o Train teams and pilot test changes before full-scale
implementation.
4. Monitor & Evaluate

o Track progress using metrics (e.g., defect rate, cycle time).

o Continuously refine processes based on feedback.

b) Explain the features of software configuration management.

Ans= Software Configuration Management (SCM) is a systematic process
to control, track, and manage changes in software development. Its key
features are:
1. Version Control
• Tracks and manages different versions of software artifacts (code, docs,
etc.).
• Tools: Git, SVN, Mercurial.
2. Change Management
• Controls modifications through formal requests (e.g., Change Control
Boards).
 • Ensures only approved changes are implemented.
3. Baseline & Auditing
• Establishes stable reference points (baselines) for releases.
• Conducts audits to verify compliance with standards.
4. Build & Release Management
• Automates compilation, testing, and deployment.
• Ensures consistent and reproducible builds.
5. Concurrent Development Support
• Enables multiple developers to work simultaneously without conflicts.
• Uses branching/merging (e.g., Git branches).