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Cork Institute of Technology
Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Software Development – Stage 3
(KSDEV_8_Y3)
Spring 2008
Software Engineering 1
(Time: 3 Hours)
Answer any (^) FIVE questions. Dr. Mel O Cinneide All questions carry equal marks. Mr. Martin Donnelly Mr. John O’Brien
Q1. (a) “Software doesn’t wear out.” Discuss, briefly. [4 Marks]
(b) Consider the following statement: “Software engineering is a layered technology.” Do you agree/disagree? State your reasons. [4 Marks]
(c) In most software development projects there is some software reuse. This reuse typically happens informally. Such informal reuse takes place irrespective of the development process used. The first published model of a software development process was developed from more-general system engineering processes. This model is known by a number of names, including the “waterfall model”. Since then, a number of software development process models has been developed and employed. One such model is “component-based software development”. It is claimed that there are some similarities between the waterfall and component-based software development models; there are also some significant differences.
(i) Identify and elaborate on those areas of difference between the two above-identified models. [8 Marks]
(ii) List the claimed advantages and disadvantages from the use of component-based software development. [4 Marks]
Q2. (a) Most professional software is developed by project groups/teams. Typically, the software project manager does not have a free choice of staff. Furthermore, budget constraints may limit the number of experienced personnel available to work on a project.
(i) Identify, and expand briefly on, the sources of information available to a project manager when deciding who to appoint to a project. [3 Marks]
(ii) When a choice of project staff is available, what factors, technical and other, should be considered prior to appointment of project staff? State your reasons. [6 Marks] (b) Creating an effective project team is a critical management task. Members of good teams are motivated by the success of the group, as well as by their own personal goals. Describe, in detail, the influence of team cohesion on a software development team/group. Your presentation should refer to any advantages and/or disadvantages likely to result from the use of cohesive teams. [11 Marks]
Q3. (a) Software productivity estimates are normally based on measuring attributes of the software and dividing the resulting measurement value(s) by the total effort required for development. Describe each of the following effort estimation metrics: (i) Lines of source code; (ii) Function points; (iii) Object points. In each case, highlight the claimed advantages and disadvantages of the approach. [9 Marks]
(b) Consider the following base equations for two well-known non-linear algorithmic effort estimation models: E = 2.4 KLOC 1.05^ [Boehm 1982] E = 5.2 KLOC 0.91^ [Walston-Felix]
Using the above-listed formulae, estimate the effort in person months for the development of software projects of the following sizes: 1000 Lines of source code. 10,000 Lines of source code. 40,000 Lines of source code. 120,000 Lines of source code.
(i) Present your estimates in a clearly labeled, tabular format. [2 Marks] (ii) Comment critically on your findings. [4 Marks]
(c) Identify and describe briefly the major differences between COCOMO and COCOMO II. [5 Marks]
Q6. (a) In the context of software testing: (i) What does the expression “ verification and validation” refer to? [2 Marks]
(ii) What is the ultimate goal of the verification and validation process? [3 Marks]
(iii) Verification and validation is an expensive process. Careful planning is therefore required. Outline the major components that you would expect to find in a test plan for a large or complex software project. [5 Marks]
(b) In the context of software testing: (i) What does the term “ regression testing” refer to? [1 Mark]
(ii) When trying to determine if a software application “fit for purpose”, what, if any, is the importance of regression testing? [3 Marks]
(c) Describe, in detail, the structural testing strategy known as “ path testing”. [6 marks]
End of Exam!
