Get premium membership and access revision papers, questions with answers as well as video lessons.
Got a question or eager to learn? Discover limitless learning on WhatsApp now -
Start Now!
Cisy 112:Software Engineering Principles Question Paper
Cisy 112:Software Engineering Principles
Course:Computer Science
Institution: Kenya Methodist University question papers
Exam Year:2010
NSTRUCTIONS Answer Question ONE (compulsory) and any Other TWO Questions
Question 1
a) The management team of a local college has given you a 12-month contract to develop software for a very powerful computer workstation donated by a local electronics company. A wide range of system software is available including operating systems, compilers, and program debuggers. The company has also supplied an integrated CASE tool, but no application software. In appointing you, the College Principal is particularly interested in developing a Student Records System that is portable, reusable, and scaleable, but tailored to the teaching and learning environment of the college. Identify and discuss the software engineering design and implementation principles that, when applied, produce application software that is fit for the purpose of the college. (10marks)
b) Discuss five factors that a software project manager should take into account when selecting staff to form a software development project team. In each case explain the importance of the factor in contributing to the project team’s success. (10marks)
c) Explain why good communication between members of a software development project team is essential to the success of its work In your answer, identify four key factors that can influence the effectiveness of communication within the project team, and describe ways in which the software project manager can enhance communication within the team. (10marks)
Question 2
a) Compare and contrast the methods of software project estimating known as size-related estimates and function related estimates. (6marks)
b) A software company has asked you to create a process improvement programme for them.
i) State any FOUR reasons for measuring software and its attributes (4 marks)
ii) List and describe any TWO types of software estimation techniques.(2 marks)
iii) Discuss any FOUR factors that may affect software engineering productivity.(8marks)
Question 3
a) Software development, as a relatively new engineering discipline, is beginning to exhibit underlying principles that might be considered to be both enduring and universal. Present a brief discussion of each of the following principles. You should make clear any distinctions between the terms used, and evaluate the universality of the principle itself.
i) Minimize coupling between, and maximize cohesion of, components. (4marks)
ii) A sound knowledge of data types and data structures is a fundamental requirement for software engineers. (4marks)
b) Explain the difference between software validation and software verification during the Software life cycle in assuring software quality. (4marks)
c) Project management is important to offer a way of forming a frame work around which a software product of significant size will be developed. List and explain with examples any two planning and control tools used in software project management. (8marks)
Question 4
a) In the context of software quality explain what is covered by the following software characteristics and outline measurable factors that can be used to determine a software product’s quality with respect to each characteristic:
i) Reliability
ii) Efficiency
iii) Usability
iv) Maintainability
v) Portability (16marks)
b) It has argued that, with respect to measuring software quality, it is necessary to distinguish three types of measures: internal measures, related to static software properties; external measures of software quality, related to dynamic properties of software; and measures related to the effects of the software product in various contexts of usage. Discuss this statement with respect to usability. (4marks)
Question 5
a) In the context of software design, define what is meant by the following design principles and illustrate each with an example piece of design: (9marks)
i) Transparency, also known as information hiding
ii) Abstraction,
iii) Modularity
b) Explain what is meant by the concept of requirements traceability with respect to software design. (3marks)
c) List and explain the stages in software testing process. (8marks)
More Question Papers
Popular Exams
Return to Question Papers