Epic Skills Assessment Software Development Questions and Answers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does API stand for and what is its primary purpose in healthcare software?
- Advanced Programming Interface — speeds up code execution
- Application Programming Interface — allows different software systems to communicate (Correct answer)
- Automated Process Integration — runs background tasks automatically
- Application Protocol Instance — manages server connections
Correct answer: Application Programming Interface — allows different software systems to communicate
API (Application Programming Interface) defines how software components communicate, enabling systems like Epic to exchange data with labs, pharmacies, and other health applications.
An API is a set of rules and protocols allowing software applications to communicate. In healthcare, APIs enable Epic to connect with lab systems (sending orders, receiving results), pharmacy benefit managers (medication formulary checks), patient-facing apps (SMART on FHIR), and health information exchanges. Epic's FHIR R4 APIs are mandated by the 21st Century Cures Act for patient data access.
Question 2: Which version control concept involves creating an independent copy of a codebase to work on a feature without affecting the main code?
- Commit
- Branch (Correct answer)
- Merge
- Clone
Correct answer: Branch
Branching creates an independent line of development, allowing feature work without affecting the main (production) branch.
Git branching is foundational to modern software development. A branch copies the current codebase state, allowing isolated development. When complete, the branch is merged back to main (or master). Epic's development teams use branching to manage parallel feature development, bug fixes, and upgrade-related changes without risking production stability.
Question 3: In software testing, what is the difference between unit testing and integration testing?
- Unit testing tests the whole system; integration tests individual functions
- Unit testing tests individual components in isolation; integration testing tests how components work together (Correct answer)
- They are the same thing
- Unit testing is done by users; integration testing by developers
Correct answer: Unit testing tests individual components in isolation; integration testing tests how components work together
Unit tests verify individual functions/methods in isolation. Integration tests verify that multiple components work correctly when combined.
Testing pyramid: unit tests are fast and numerous (test individual functions), integration tests verify interactions between modules (e.g., does the order entry module correctly trigger the pharmacy queue?), and end-to-end tests simulate full user workflows. In Epic implementations, integration testing verifies that interface engines (HL7/FHIR) correctly transmit data between Epic and external systems.
Question 4: What does 'CRUD' stand for in database operations?
- Create, Read, Update, Delete (Correct answer)
- Connect, Route, Upload, Download
- Copy, Replicate, Undo, Deploy
- Compile, Run, Undo, Debug
Correct answer: Create, Read, Update, Delete
CRUD = Create, Read, Update, Delete — the four fundamental operations for persistent data storage.
CRUD operations correspond to SQL commands: Create (INSERT), Read (SELECT), Update (UPDATE), Delete (DELETE). All Epic clinical functions perform CRUD operations on the underlying Chronicles/Clarity database. Understanding CRUD helps analysts design reports, troubleshoot data issues, and comprehend how clinical documentation changes are persisted.
Question 5: A software bug is found in production. What is the correct first step in a controlled fix process?
- Fix directly in production to resolve immediately
- Reproduce the bug in a test environment, then develop and test the fix before deploying to production (Correct answer)
- Ignore until the next major release
- Ask all users to avoid the affected feature
Correct answer: Reproduce the bug in a test environment, then develop and test the fix before deploying to production
Bugs must be reproduced and fixed in a test environment first to prevent introducing new issues into production.
The standard software change management process: (1) reproduce in test/QA, (2) develop fix, (3) test the fix, (4) obtain approval, (5) deploy to production during a maintenance window. Fixing directly in production ('hotfixing') without testing risks introducing new bugs, violating change management policies, and creating undocumented changes. Epic's change control process strictly follows this sequence.
Question 6: What is the purpose of a 'sandbox' environment in Epic implementations?
- To store archived patient data
- A safe test environment where configuration changes can be built and tested without affecting live patient data (Correct answer)
- A backup system for disaster recovery
- A training environment with fake patient names
Correct answer: A safe test environment where configuration changes can be built and tested without affecting live patient data
A sandbox (or build/test environment) allows Epic configuration and development to be done safely, with no impact on the production system or live patient data.
Epic organizations maintain multiple environments: PRD (production with real patient data), QA/UAT (testing), SUP (training), and sometimes DEV or sandbox (initial build). Sandboxes allow analysts to build, test, and refine configuration without any risk to live clinical operations or patient data integrity. All new Epic features must be validated in non-production environments before promotion to PRD.
Epic Skills Assessment Software Development Questions and Answers 2
What does API stand for and what is its primary purpose in healthcare software?