SDD study thread

[ehtefaz.hedayet]

You can hide this advertisement by registering.

Thought I'd make one

So.. how it works is someone asks a question

Then another person answers it and asks another question.

let's begin:
What are the rights and responsibilities of software developers?

[Fluorescent]

- Authorship - rights to distribute/sell/modify the product
- Reliability - to ensure the product is compatible with the existing hardware, software, Operating system, run time errors etc
- Ensure quality
- Efficient response to problems
- Abide by a code of conduct
- Ensure the product is virus-free

My question:

Define structured approach to SD

[ehtefaz.hedayet]

Originally Posted by Fluorescent

- Authorship - rights to distribute/sell/modify the product
- Reliability - to ensure the product is compatible with the existing hardware, software, Operating system, run time errors etc
- Ensure quality
- Efficient response to problems
- Abide by a code of conduct
- Ensure the product is virus-free

My question:

Define structured approach to SD

the structured approach is based on a tried and tested method. It's divided into 5 stages which are:

• Understanding the problem
• planning the solution
• building the solution
• checking the solution
• modifying the solution

Next Question: Define the term outsourcing?

[robm]

Outsourcing is when a business pays an external business to complete a task it used to complete by itself. For a software company, it may outsource staff to create the software, or possibly an accounting firm to deal with their finances.

Question:
Define Semantics?

[Fluorescent]

Originally Posted by robm

Outsourcing is when a business pays an external business to complete a task it used to complete by itself. For a software company, it may outsource staff to create the software, or possibly an accounting firm to deal with their finances.

Question:
Define Semantics?

Wow this died quick....I guess its just gonna be us three

SEMANTICS
Describes the meaning of string or symbols as opposed to their syntax.
For example: "count:= count+1 " - The count is being incremented by 1 . <--semantics

What should a developer consider in terms of the use of a user interface?

[ibrian]

- consistency in screen movement and design layout - palcement of certain buttons , text, tables, commands etc
- should meet the user's requirements and target audience
- should not discriminate any users and should cater for all users, including the hearing and visual impaired

Give a brief outline of the types of methods of implementations

[robm]

Direct Cut Over
The new system is immediately implemented , this saves time but could also be risky as the user does not have a system to 'fall back' on.

Parallel
Both systems (old and new) running at the same time until the user is sure they would like to transfer to the new system. This is a more safe method except is more time consuming as data would need to be entered twice as much.

Phased
Modules of the old system are slowly removed and replaced by the new system. Confusion can occur over which system to use, but users are slowly taught how to use the new system

Pilot
Testing the software in just one department or area, and if the software solution is successful, it is implemented across all departments.

Question
Describe the three translation methods

[Nivek5]

Describe the three translation methods

ill use analogies to define

Interpretation:

Much like when using an interpreter for say English to German, you speak English and they speak it in German.
This is normally done to test programs before as it converts one statement at a time, it doesn't need to fully translate each time

compilation:

Such as a person translating a comic from Japanese to English, you have a full translation that is now in another language.

Unlike interpretation, once translated, it will stay in the language.
This is usually done with a final product to be ready for distribution

Incremental compilation:

I believe this is like,
As before, the comic is in Japanese, although the company made a remake of the same comic only with some spelling corrections.
The compiler will only recompile the changes from the first compilation.

They are actually a lot harder to explain then i was expecting >__<
I probably screwed up.



Q. Define White box and Black box testing

[joshhunt]

Originally Posted by Nivek5

Define White box and Black box testing

White box testing refers to testing the internal structure and logic of the code, whereas black box testing refers to testing the whole package from an external point of view.

Explain how a programmer ensures the quality assurance of a piece of software whilst developing it

[Nivek5]

Originally Posted by joshhunt

White box testing refers to testing the internal
Explain how a programmer ensures the quality assurance of a piece of software whilst developing it

The programmer essentially ensures the quality by making sure the quality meets or exceeds the customers expectations.

Some factors include:
Correctness
Reliability
Efficiency
Integrity
Maintainability
Flexibility
Portability

The list goes on really.


Q.Define how a Linear search & Binary search operates

[Handmedown]

Originally Posted by Nivek5

The programmer essentially ensures the quality by making sure the quality meets or exceeds the customers expectations.

Some factors include:
Correctness
Reliability
Efficiency
Integrity
Maintainability
Flexibility
Portability

The list goes on really.


Q.Define how a Linear search & Binary search operates

A linear search examines each item in a list/array individually in sequential order to determine whether the search term exists.

A binary search takes the the middle index of indexes remaining and compares its value to that of the search value. Depending on whether the search value is greater or lesser than the value in the index, one half of remaining indexes are discarded from the search. This process is repeated until the value is found, or all possible indexes have been examined. The list/array must be sorted prior.

Q.Write an EBNF definition for a multi-way selection in pseudocode

[wolfhunter2]

Originally Posted by Handmedown

A linear search examines each item in a list/array individually in sequential order to determine whether the search term exists.

A binary search takes the the middle index of indexes remaining and compares its value to that of the search value. Depending on whether the search value is greater or lesser than the value in the index, one half of remaining indexes are discarded from the search. This process is repeated until the value is found, or all possible indexes have been examined. The list/array must be sorted prior.

Q.Write an EBNF definition for a multi-way selection in pseudocode

(Assuming that psuedocode is similar to VB)

SELECT CASE < identifier > CASE < condition > < action> {CASE < condition > < action >}

(sry about the mistake before)
Q.Define what is meant by system level testing?

[Nivek5]

Would it not just be

Multiway= < Something >|< Something2 >|< Something3 >|< Something4 >

Edit: My bad i didn't read the question properly.


I would write it like

Casewhere "Determining blah blah"
-----Case--------------"condition":"Action"
-------------------------"condition":"Action"
-------------------------"condition":"Action"
-------------------------"condition":"Action"
-----Otherwise-------"action"
Endcase

Gotta include otherwise ( i used ---- to make it neat.)

.Define what is meant by system level testing?

System level testing aims to ensure that all your data, hardware, software, procedures etc of the system all function together correctly, and productively.
Of course dependent on the environment being implemented


Q. Define Flags, Stubs, Debugging output statements, Peer checking and Desk checking Only briefly

[wolfhunter2]

Originally Posted by Nivek5

Q. Define Flags, Stubs, Debugging output statements, Peer checking and Desk checking Only briefly

Flags - used to determine whether a certain portion of code has been executed, usually via a boolean flag.
Stubs - Temporary section of code in place for the real thing, in order to ensure that the program runs.
Debugging output statements - A print out of all the variable states, programmed via the programmer, used to determine where errors in the code are occuring.
Peer checking - Having your program checked by a fellow developer, or asking for help in developing a more elegant solution.
Desk Checking - Firstly involves manually calculating expected outputs, and then comparing it to what is derived from the use of the program.

Q. Explain the differences between single arrays, multidimensional arrays and array of records.

[Nivek5]

Originally Posted by wolfhunter2

Q. Explain the differences between single arrays, multidimensional arrays and array of records.

To begin, they both can only use one data type.
Arrays can also be within one another, so an array can be within an array.


The main difference would be that a single dimension array only contains 1 index.
up to one thousand index' can be in a single dimension array
So Searching Index 5, would find the 5th index in the array

Multi-dimensional arrays have many number of indexes.
Much like an excel spreadsheet, or a chess board. (2-d)
Or a cube, having an index for each length, width and depth (3-d)


Q. What are casetools, Provide an example or so of what they can do
Also, is anyone else doing evolution of programming languages?