Systems & Software Engineering Flashcards

Which design principle states that software entities should be open for extension but closed for modification?

Answer: Open/Closed Principle

The Open/Closed Principle (OCP), part of SOLID, means you should be able to add new functionality without altering existing code.

In structured systems analysis, what is a Data Flow Diagram (DFD) used for?

Answer: Illustrating how data moves through a system

A DFD graphically represents how data flows through a system, including processes, data stores, external entities, and data flows.

What is the key difference between black-box testing and white-box testing?

Answer: Black-box testing tests external behavior without knowledge of internals; white-box tests internal logic

Black-box testing treats the system as opaque, testing inputs/outputs; white-box testing uses knowledge of the internal implementation to design tests.

Which software process model is best suited for large, complex projects with high risk and where requirements are not fully understood upfront?

Answer: Spiral model

The Spiral model combines iterative development with systematic risk management, making it ideal for large, high-risk projects.

In UML, which diagram type is used to show the sequence of messages exchanged between objects over time?

Answer: Sequence diagram

A UML sequence diagram shows object interactions arranged in time sequence, illustrating how operations are carried out.

What is the primary goal of configuration management in software engineering?

Answer: Controlling changes to software artifacts and maintaining integrity throughout the lifecycle

Configuration management (CM) ensures that changes to software are tracked, controlled, and that product integrity is maintained.

Which coupling type is considered the most desirable in software design?

Answer: Data coupling

Data coupling, where modules share only necessary data through parameters, is the most desirable as it minimizes dependencies between modules.