CPSA Views and Documentation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which UML diagram type is best suited for showing the runtime interaction between objects over time using a time axis?
- Class diagram
- Sequence diagram (Correct answer)
- Component diagram
- Deployment diagram
Correct answer: Sequence diagram
Sequence diagrams show object interactions in chronological order along a vertical time axis.
Question 2: In the arc42 template, which section specifically addresses quality scenarios and measurable quality goals?
- Section 1 – Introduction and Goals
- Section 10 – Quality Requirements (Correct answer)
- Section 7 – Deployment View
- Section 4 – Solution Strategy
Correct answer: Section 10 – Quality Requirements
Arc42 Section 10 captures quality requirements as concrete, measurable scenarios derived from quality goals.
Question 3: What is the primary purpose of a context diagram in software architecture documentation?
- To detail the internal module structure
- To show the system's external interfaces and neighboring systems (Correct answer)
- To describe deployment infrastructure
- To model database schema relationships
Correct answer: To show the system's external interfaces and neighboring systems
A context diagram defines the system boundary and its interactions with external actors and systems.
Question 4: Which documentation approach emphasizes keeping documentation as close to the code as possible to reduce drift?
- Docs-as-code (Correct answer)
- Rational Unified Process documentation
- Heavyweight waterfall documentation
- TOGAF ADM artifacts
Correct answer: Docs-as-code
Docs-as-code stores documentation in the same repository as source code, using the same review and versioning tools.
Question 5: In the C4 model, what does the third level 'Component' diagram show?
- Individual lines of source code
- The major containers inside a system
- The components inside a container and their interactions (Correct answer)
- The people and software systems in the environment
Correct answer: The components inside a container and their interactions
C4 Component diagrams zoom into a single container to show the architectural components it contains and how they communicate.
Question 6: Which type of architectural view focuses on how software elements are mapped to hardware nodes for execution?
- Logical view
- Process view
- Development view
- Physical/deployment view (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Physical/deployment view
The physical or deployment view maps software artifacts to hardware infrastructure such as servers, containers, and networks.
Question 7: When an architecture decision record (ADR) lists 'Consequences', what should that section contain?
- The names of stakeholders who approved the decision
- Both positive and negative outcomes resulting from the decision (Correct answer)
- Only the risks that were rejected
- The implementation timeline for the decision
Correct answer: Both positive and negative outcomes resulting from the decision
The Consequences section of an ADR documents all outcomes—positive, negative, and neutral—from adopting the decision.
CPSA Views and Documentation 2
Which UML diagram type is best suited for showing the runtime interaction between objects over time using a time axis?