Software engineering

Question 1

Describe CASE Tools

Answer 1

Form designer- creates interface quickly
Report Generator: creates reports quickly and easily
Data Flow Diagram design software
Source code generator; some code automatically written
Debugging tools
Project Management tools: calendar, Gantt charts, critical path analysis
Version control
Repositories for reusable code

Question 2

Describe diagrams as analysis and planning tools

Answer 2

flow charts, data flow, entity relationship.
Can be generated by software e.f. Gliffy.
Easy to move elements

Question 3

Describe recording requirements as analysis and planning tools

Answer 3

CaseComplete, Jira.
Records user requirements, keeps track of changes and version numbers.
Can be used to produce planning and design documents
Allows scarios to be created as requirements are entered. Then be used during coding and testing phases

Question 4

Describe software which can be used to aid interface design

Answer 4

visio, gliffy
Draws user interfaces such as wire framing.
Key elements of the form designs are entered to give an idea of how the screens will look.

Question 5

Describe software which can be used for bug tracking

Answer 5

Bugzilla, Jira
Allow issues and bugs to be recorded and tracked.
Programmers add feedback to issues and log their progress.
Once issue is resolved, final solution can be documented and issue closed

Question 6

Describe unit testing and test automation

Answer 6

usually in agile, unit tests are defined before code is written
Specify the tests that will need to be carried out and expected results needed to be achieved in order to prove the code works correctly.
QA- solutions conforms to expected standards
Testing is up to date with the written subroutines and modules.
Unit testing often built into IDEs.

Question 7

Describe Integrated development environments

Answer 7

-editor to develop code. - key words highlighted, indented, automatic end if
-automated error checking
-buttons or menu items to allow code to be compiled or interpreted and run
-tools for debugging code
-perhaps links to libraries of useful routines
-perhaps options to allow unit testing

Question 8

Describe debugging tools

Answer 8

breakpoint- stopping at a line of code.
Program trace/step-through- following breakpoint, value of variables examined then go through line at a time
Variable watch- programmer can specify a particular variable to monitor and is informed when the value changes.
Conditional breakpoint- occurs when its is set at a particular value- e.g. stop program when x becomes y
Store dump- view contents of memory when a program crashes
Post mortem routines- view values where a program crashed.
Error diagnostics- useful error messages, advice or links to help

Question 9

Describe version management

Answer 9

different versions of computer software are usually given different version numbers.
Many use version control software - automatically assigns version numbers to each modelled following a change and to the program when compiled.
Keeps copies of code at each version.
If problem occurs, can roll-back.
Assures one programmer working on one module at a time.
E..g GitHub. Version control and network where programmers working can communicate.
Each file given version number.
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