Chapter 6 Software Engineering

What are the fundamental architectural views proposed in Krutchen's 4+ 1 model?

a. A logical view, which shows the key abstractions in the system as objects or object classes. b. A process view, which shows how, at run-time, the system is composed of interacting processes. c. A development view which shows how the software is decomposed for development. d. A physical view, which shows the system hardware and how software components are distributed across the processors in the system.

What is the fundamental characteristic of a repository architecture?

a. All data in a system is managed in a central repository that is accessible to all system components. Components do not interact directly, only through the repository. b. When large amounts of data are to be shared, the repository model of sharing is most commonly used is an efficient data sharing mechanism.

Briefly describe pipe and filter architecture?

A system is decomposed into a set of functional transformations that consume inputs and produce outputs.

What are the two ways in which an architectural model of a system may be used?

a. As means for facilitating discussion about the most appropriate architecture for a system. b. As a means of documenting the architecture for the system.

List 4 fundamental questions that should be addressed in architectural design?

a. How will the system be distributed? b. What architectural styles are appropriate? c. What approach will be used to structure the system? d. How will the system be decomposed into modules?

What is an architectural pattern?

a. Means of representing, sharing and reusing knowledge. b. Stylized description of good design practice, which has been tried and tested in different environments. The pattern should include information on when it is and is not appropriate to use that architectural design.

What are the advantages of explicitly designing and documenting a software architecture?

a. The architecture may be used as a focus of discussion by system stakeholders. b. Detailed analysis c. The architecture may be reusable across a range of systems d. Product-line architectures may be developed.

What is the most important advantage of a client-server architecture?

a. The principal advantage of this model is that servers can be distributed across a network. General functionality (e.g., a printing service) can be available to all clients and does not need to be implemented by all services.

What are the principal functions of the 4 layers in a generic information system architecture?

a. The user interface b. User communications c. Information retrieval d. System database

What are transaction-processing applications?

a. Users make asynchronous requests for service which are then processed by a transaction manager. i.e. - find the times of flights from London to Paris. b. Process user requests for information from a database or requests to update the database.