7A: reasons for maintaining code

Question 1

reasons for maintaining code

Answer 1

1. changing user requirements
2. upgrading UI
3. changes in data to be processed
4. intro of new hardware or software
5. changing organizational focus
6. changes in government requirements
7. poorly implemented code

Question 2

upgrading UI

Answer 2

UI: most significant influence on ongoing success
- when maintaining: maintain consistency
- must conform w/ new OS standards

Question 3

changes in data to be processed

Answer 3

required when structure/format of input data changes
- usually occurs when software uses output from other apps as input

Question 4

intro of new hardware or software

Answer 4

• everything should be backwards compatible: works on older piece of soft/hardware w/out modifications
• testing w/ new operating systems

Question 5

changing organizational focus

Answer 5

organizations: change over time to accommodate economy
- custom-designed solutions require continual modification

Question 6

changes in government requirements

Answer 6

legal aspects: covered by government legislation
- when laws change, apps must be modified
- common requirement: transactions should leave audit trail

Question 7

audit trail

Answer 7

allows the source and path taken by data to be retraced should an issue occur

Question 8

poorly implemented code

Answer 8

testing + evaluating + maintenance: fixes bugs, allows apps to run efficiently
- modularization + encapsulation improves life span of software

Question 9

encapsulation

Answer 9

the bundling of data w/ the mechanisms/methods which operate on the data