Software Development
Applications Running Slowly
At times, software applications run slowly. Reasons for this can include: Operating system issues - the operating system may need updates installed Hard drive space - the hard drive may need to be scanned, cleaned, and optimized Memory - the memory of the computer may need to be increased Too many applications running - there may be too many applications running at the same time
Common Features of Application Software
Because software applications are designed to enable users to perform tasks, they share specific features that facilitate communication with users. These features include: 1.) a graphical user interface (GUI). 2.) a pointer. 3.) menus. 4.) a menu bar. 5.) dialog boxes. 6.) a help menu. 7.) toolbars. 8.) buttons.
Developing Software
Software applications are the result of lines and lines of code that have been written and compiled by developers to provide instructions to computer systems. In many cases, whole teams of people in various roles come together and work in a collaborative process to create software applications.
Identify the common features of software applications. (choose all that apply) a pointer toolbars an operating system buttons hardware a mouse
a pointer buttons toolbars Pointers, toolbars, and buttons are common features of software applications.
What are software applications? lines of code that were written by developers devices that you insert into the computer files that are stored on the computer
lines of code that were written by developers
Application Software
The software that most of us are familiar with is called application software. Application software is software designed to help the user accomplish tasks. It runs on a platform comprised of an operating system (a different type of software) and hardware.
Software Development Process Models
Various models exist to make the development process more efficient. Common models include waterfall, iterative, agile, and spiral. Each model has strengths and challenges, and the development team must decide which model is the best to complete the specific project. Occasionally, using a combination of the models may be the ideal option.
Configuration Issues
When you install a new software program, you may need to configure it. Software configuration is how a program is set up and which user options are selected. For example, a software application may require a user to provide information about connecting to a printer. Often, problems experienced with software have to do with misconfiguration by the user
Software Development Process Overview
While there are many different established models for software development, they share a common structure. There are five basic phases to software development. Requirements Specification Design Development Evaluation Maintenance You will learn more about these phases of development soon.
When the operating system needs updates, ___________. applications might run slowly there will be missing DLL files the computer will display error messages
applications might run slowly
How can a specification document function as a legal document? by clarifying the scope of work agreed to by developers and clients by providing quotes of market research statistics by analyzing the competitive marketplace by documenting the number of bugs logged by software testers
by clarifying the scope of work agreed to by developers and clients
The first phase of software development process is ______. ____________ helps users accomplish tasks. _________ensures that a software product meets customer needs.
requirements specification application software requirements gathering and analysis
What happens during the software requirements specification phase? (choose all that apply) software application results are analyzed and documented software developers write code the software is tested software applications are researched
software application results are analyzed and documented software applications are researched
During the design phase, development teams translate the requirements into __________. During the design phase, relevant content must be transformed into concise information that describes how the software application will fulfill the __________ . During the development phase, developers write to create the software program _______.
Design requirements code
Phase 2: Design
During the design phase, development teams translate the requirements into a design for the software application. Relevant content must be transformed into concise information that describes how the software application will fulfill the requirements listed in the previous phase. This guide will assist in the development of the software.
Phase 3: Development
During the development phase, the software design is implemented. Developers refer to the design and the specification document much like builders refer to a blueprint. They create software by writing code line by line, gradually building a software program or set of programs according to the design created in the previous phase
Which of the following are common problems experienced with software applications? (choose all that apply) faulty microprocessor missing DLL files installation issues configuration issues applications running slowly kernel panic power cords not being plugged in
missing DLL files installation issues configuration issues applications running slowly kernel panic
What is the purpose of requirements gathering and analysis? (choose all that apply) to ensure that there are no bugs in the software code to determine customer needs for a software application to analyze bugs gathered by software application testers to reduce overscheduling of project resources
to determine customer needs for a software application
What can become lost or damaged on a computer and prevent it from working correctly? _________ What type of software can you run to help fix computer problems? _________ _______ means the process of setting up an application and selecting specific options. What is the name of the discipline concerned with the design of optimal user interfaces? ____________ What do users make use of to interact with graphical icons and other visual elements in order to accomplish tasks? _______
DLL files system software repair software configuration human-computer interaction a graphical user interface
Phase 5: Maintenance
Software maintenance is the last phase in the software development process. Software that is maintained by developers is said to be supported. To support software products, developers update software code to fix bugs, improve functionality, and even add new features. These changes are collected and released in updates, patches, and new product versions that can be installed by users. Each new update of a product usually goes through most or all of the software development phases as a part of its maintenance.
Why do software applications have similar problems? (choose all that apply they have similar features they are developed by the same company they run on similar operating systems they run on similar types of hardware they are made for the same purpose
they have similar features they run on similar operating systems they run on similar types of hardware Software applications have similar problems because they share similar features and basic functionality, run on similar operating systems, and work with essentially the same hardware.
Which model focuses on smaller complete cycles of development that improve the product in small steps? _________ Which model involves adapting quickly to changes in the design that happen during development? ________ Which model follows a specific order of steps? _________ Which model focuses on trying to find crucial problems early in the project? _________
Spiral Agile Waterfall Iterative
Select all the software development process models. waterfall process model iterative process model vertical process model agile process model spiral process model requirements specification model
waterfall process model iterative process model agile process model spiral process model
Kernel Panics
A kernel panic occurs when the operating system finds a fatal error that it cannot safely recover from In Windows operating systems, this situation is often referred to as the Blue Screen of Death (BSoD). A technical error message is created and sent to the monitor to assist the computer user in fixing the problem. The computer then needs to be restarted to work again.
Graphical User Interface
A graphical user interface (GUI) is a software feature that allows an individual to communicate with a computer by using symbols, pointing devices, and visual metaphors. In a GUI, users interact with graphical icons and other visual elements to accomplish tasks. Before the invention of GUIs, users were limited to typing commands on a keyboard.
Missing DLL Files
Dynamic-Link Library (DLL) files provide operating systems with information about performing specific computing functions in Microsoft Windows These files can be lost by a computer or become damaged. If a computer cannot find a DLL file, it cannot perform certain functions, and may send the user error messages. Missing or corrupt DLL files must be replaced for a computer to function properly.
Software maintenance is a phase in the _______ process. Software that is maintained by developers is said to be _______ . To update software products, developers update ______ to fix bugs, improve functionality, and even add new features. Changes to software are collected and released in updates,_________ , and new product versions that can be installed by users.
Software development supported software code patches
Human-Computer Interaction
Successful user interaction is an important factor in the overall success of a software application. If users are unable to interact well with a software program, they will not be able to accomplish tasks, and they will no longer use the software. Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) is a discipline concerned with the design of optimal user interfaces. By making sure the interface is easy to use, efficient, and well suited to user tasks, practitioners of HCI increase the value of software applications for users.
Identify the causes of installation problems. (choose all that apply) The computer does not meet the minimum requirements of the software program The software is not compatible with the version of the operating system. The software was misconfigured by the user. The user incorrectly entered the serial number during installation.
The computer does not meet the minimum requirements of the software program The software is not compatible with the version of the operating system. The user incorrectly entered the serial number during installation.
Why is it important for software development teams to design successful user interactions? to ensure that users can interact well with a software program to ensure that users can accomplish tasks to make software programs more affordable to ensure that users will continue to use the software
to ensure that users can interact well with a software program to ensure that users can accomplish tasks to ensure that users will continue to use the software Designing successful user interactions is important for making sure users can interact well with the software, can accomplish tasks with the software, and will continue to use the software
Phase 1: Requirements Specification
Before developers begin to write software code, they need to know what they will be developing and what tasks the software needs to be able to do. Requirements specification is the first phase in a software development process. In this phase, current software applications are researched and results are analyzed and documented. In commercial software development, this phase is often termed product planning. To ensure that a software product will be desirable to customers, research is conducted on customer needs for the product. This research is known as requirements gathering and analysis, which helps ensure that a software product meets a customer's needs. The requirements are captured in a specification document, which is also known as a "spec" or "scope document." This document is maintained and referred to throughout the software development process. It may also function as a legal document clarifying the scope of work agreed to by a software development company and a client.
Phase 4: Evaluation
In the evaluation phase, software is evaluated for quality.Testers check that software code is functional and is implemented according to the specification document. Any issues with the software are logged as bugs to be resolved by developers. Once an application has passed the evaluation phase successfully, it is ready to be used
Installation Issues:
Problems with software can begin with installation.You may be unable to install a software program for several reasons the installation CD is unreadable the computer's hardware does not meet the minimum requirements of the software program the software may not be compatible with that version of the operating system you may not be entering the correct serial number or key during installation
Common Problems Experienced With Software
Software applications tend to have similar problems. This is because they share similar features and basic functionality, run on similar operating systems, and work with similar types of hardware. For users, software problems are experienced in the form of error messages, system halts, and blue screens. Common problems include installation issues configuration issues. missing DLL files. applications running slowly. kernel panic. You will learn more about these common problems soon
System Repair Software
System repair software is software you can run to help fix computer problems. It can often fix operating system problems that are responsible for kernel panics, and replace missing or nonfunctional DLL files. System repair software can also optimize your computer and provide more hard drive space, enabling software applications to run faster.
Software Development Process Models (Continued)
The waterfall process model consists of these phases in order: (a) requirements specification, (b) design, (c) implementation, (d) testing, (e) deployment, and (f) maintenance. In a strict waterfall process, each phase must be completed before moving to the next phase. There is no revisiting earlier phases for changes. An iterative process model tries to find crucial problems early in the project. It was developed to improve on the waterfall method. It allows developers to learn from previous parts of a development project by allowing for prototyping and cycles of development. At each iteration, designs are revisited to optimize the process and product. An agile process model is an iterative process model that incorporates feedback and involves adapting quickly to changes in the design that happen during development. A spiral process model combines iterative prototyping with the waterfall model. It focuses on smaller complete cycles of development that improve the product in small steps each time through the cycle.
Identify the causes of configuration problems. (choose all that apply) The installation CD is unreadable. There is not enough information provided about a connected device The software was misconfigured by the user. The computer does not meet minimum requirements of the software program
There is not enough information provided about a connected device The software was misconfigured by the user.
During the _______ , development teams transform the requirements into a software application design. During the _______ , the software design is implemented by developers in code. In the________ , software is evaluated for quality. Any issues with the software are logged as ________ to be resolved by developers. Software that is maintained by developers is said to be _______ .
software design phase software development phase software evaluation phase bugs supported
Which of the following takes place during the research phase? (choose all that apply) software requirements are gathered software requirements are implemented in code software requirements are analyzed software requirements are detailed in a specification document
software requirements are gathered software requirements are analyzed software requirements are detailed in a specification document Requirements specification is the first phase in a software development process. In this phase, the need for a software application is researched and the results are analyzed. Software requirements are then listed and described in a specification document
Choose all that apply: Which of the following tasks are part of the software evaluation process? testers check that the code is implemented according to the specification document an specification document is created software developers write code line by line any issues with the software are logged as bugs bugs are resolved by developers a design for the software program is created
testers check that the code is implemented according to the specification document any issues with the software are logged as bugs bugs are resolved by developers In the software evaluation phase, testers check that the software is implemented according to the specification document. Issues with the software are logged as bugs and resolved by developers.
When there is a missing DLL file, ___________. the hard drive needs to be scanned the computer will display error messages applications might run slowly
the computer will display error messages