Ask a New Question
Menu

Question 1

A restaurant has an app that allows users to view the menu and order online. You have been hired to upgrade the app because it is out of date, in both style and content. What parts of the existing code could you reuse, and what might you need to design from scratch?

Question 2
Describe how the operating system, translator, and compiler or interpreter work together so that a program can be run.

Question 3
You manage a software team, and you need to decide whether upcoming projects will use object-oriented design, structured design, or rapid application development. Describe the factors that would lead you to select each approach.

Question 4
You have been hired to manage a new software project. The software will make it easy for friends to select a movie to watch by matching their interests with what is showing nearby. Briefly describe the steps in the program development cycle and how you would document them.

Question 5
Give an example of a program that shows modular design.

1 answer

Sure! Here are the answers to your questions:

Question 1

Parts of Existing Code to Reuse:

  • Backend APIs: If the existing app has a well-structured backend for handling orders, user authentication, and menu data, these can be reused, improving efficiency and consistency.
  • Database Schema: If the data structures in place for the menu, user accounts, and orders are adequately designed, they could be leveraged with minimal modifications.
  • Business Logic: Any business logic related to order processing, pricing, and promotions could be retained if they align with the new app’s features.

Parts to Design from Scratch:

  • User Interface (UI): The UI components would likely need a modern redesign, focusing on usability, responsiveness, and aesthetics.
  • User Experience (UX): This includes mapping out user flows, implementing intuitive navigation, and possibly employing new interaction paradigms.
  • New Features: Any new features like social sharing, enhanced filters for menu items, or integration with third-party services would need to be developed from scratch.
  • Mobile Responsiveness: If the original app was not mobile-optimized, a complete overhaul of the front-end design may be necessary.

Question 2

How Operating System, Translator, and Compiler/Interpreter Work Together:

  1. Source Code Creation: A programmer writes the source code of a program in a high-level language (e.g., Python, C++).
  2. Compilation/Translation: The source code is processed by a compiler or interpreter (which may act as a translator), converting the high-level instructions into machine code or an intermediate representation. If it is compiled, the entire program is transformed into machine code before execution. If interpreted, each instruction is translated and executed on-the-fly.
  3. Loading: The operating system (OS) manages the execution environment. It loads the compiled machine code or executes the interpreted code into memory.
  4. Execution: Once the code is loaded, the OS allocates memory, manages CPU scheduling, and activates system calls to allow the program to run and interact with hardware and other software.

Question 3

Factors for Selecting Software Design Approaches:

  • Object-Oriented Design (OOD):

    • Scalability: If the project is expected to grow in complexity or size, OOD is more suitable due to its modularity and reuse of classes and objects.
    • Maintainability: OOD allows for improved code organization, making it easier for teams to manage and update code.
    • Real-World Modeling: If the application requires a complex system emulation, OOD is beneficial for mirroring real-world entities and their interactions.

  • Structured Design:

    • Simplicity: For smaller projects where the requirements are straightforward, structured design can be easier to implement and understand.
    • Clear Process Flow: When the primary focus is on process-oriented tasks with defined sequences, structured design emphasizes clear and organized workflows.

  • Rapid Application Development (RAD):

    • Tight Deadlines: When projects require quick iterations and speedy delivery, RAD emphasizes rapid prototyping and feedback from users.
    • User Feedback: When it’s essential to incorporate user suggestions frequently, RAD’s flexibility allows for adaptive changes to the software as development proceeds.

Question 4

Steps in the Program Development Cycle:

  1. Requirement Analysis: Understand and document the needs of the users and stakeholders regarding the movie selection software.
  2. Planning: Establish a project plan, defining scope, timelines, resource allocation, and tasks.
  3. System Design: High-level design that includes defining interactions, database schema, and user interfaces.
  4. Implementation: Write the code based on the designs. Break the code into manageable modules related to different functionalities (e.g., user preferences, movie database).
  5. Testing: Conduct unit tests, integration tests, and user acceptance tests to ensure the software behaves as expected and meets requirements.
  6. Deployment: Release the software to users and ensure proper setup.
  7. Maintenance and Updates: Address bugs and issues, and implement user suggestions for new features.

Documentation Steps:

  • Document requirement specifications, architecture designs (UML diagrams), user manuals, test cases and results, and maintenance guides after each phase for future reference and updates.

Question 5

Example of a Program that Shows Modular Design: A classic example of modular design is the Linux operating system. It follows the modular design principles where each component (such as device drivers, file systems, networking modules, and the kernel) operates independently yet communicates effectively with others through well-defined interfaces. This modular approach makes it easier to upgrade, replace, or add functionalities without affecting the entire system. Another example could be a web application built with Microservices Architecture, where different services (user management, payment processing, notifications) are developed, deployed, and scaled independently.