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A-Level · Component 1: Computer Systems - Software and software development

A1.2 Types of Software and Development Methodologies

OCR H446 · Calculators not allowed · about 140 minutes
Total Marks
Name: _______________________________    Date: ____ / ____ / ______
Answer ALL questions. Show all your working.
1
Software can be classified into different types according to its purpose.
(a)State what is meant by the term 'system software'.(2)
(b)State three examples of system software.(3)
(c)Explain one function of an operating system that makes it an example of system software.(2)
(Total for Question 1 is 7 marks)
2
A company must decide whether to buy off-the-shelf software or commission bespoke (custom-written) software.
(a)State what is meant by the term 'bespoke software'.(2)
(b)State what is meant by the term 'off-the-shelf software'.(2)
(c)A regional hospital trust wants a new system to manage patient appointments across 12 sites, with several unusual workflow requirements that are not met by any existing product. Discuss whether the trust should choose off-the-shelf or bespoke software.(6)
(Total for Question 2 is 10 marks)
3
Software can also be classified by whether or not its source code is publicly available.
(a)State what is meant by the term 'open source software'.(2)
(b)State what is meant by the term 'closed source (proprietary) software'.(2)
(c)A small business is choosing a content management system for its website and is considering an open source option. Give two advantages and two disadvantages of using open source software in this context.(4)
(Total for Question 3 is 8 marks)
4
Utility software carries out specific maintenance tasks on a computer system.
(a)State what is meant by the term 'utility software'.(2)
(b)For each scenario below, identify the type of utility software that would be used.
i) Compressing a large video file before emailing it.
ii) Protecting a computer from malicious software downloaded from the internet.
iii) Reorganising fragmented files on a hard disk drive to improve access speed.
iv) Creating a copy of important files in case the originals are lost or damaged.
(4)
(c)Explain why defragmentation utility software improves performance on a hard disk drive (HDD) but has little or no benefit on a solid-state drive (SSD).(3)
(Total for Question 4 is 9 marks)
5
The waterfall model is a traditional, linear approach to software development.
(a)List, in the correct order, the five stages of the waterfall model of software development.(5)
(b)State two characteristics of the waterfall model.(2)
(c)A software company is developing a system for a client whose requirements are likely to change significantly during development. Explain one disadvantage of using the waterfall model for this project.(3)
(Total for Question 5 is 10 marks)
6
Rapid Application Development (RAD) focuses on fast delivery through prototyping.
(a)State two characteristics of RAD.(2)
(b)Explain why RAD may not be suitable for a project where users are not available to give regular feedback.(3)
(c)Compare the use of prototyping in RAD with the waterfall model.(3)
(Total for Question 6 is 8 marks)
7
Agile methodologies are an alternative to traditional models such as waterfall.
(a)State three principles that underpin agile approaches to software development, as set out in the agile manifesto.(3)
(b)Explain two ways in which agile development handles changing requirements differently from the waterfall model.(4)
(c)A government department is planning a large IT project with a fixed contract value and a fixed delivery date set in law. Discuss whether an agile methodology would be appropriate for this project.(6)
(Total for Question 7 is 13 marks)
8
Scrum is a popular framework for implementing agile software development.
(a)State three roles defined in the Scrum framework.(3)
(b)Define the term 'sprint' as used in Scrum.(2)
(c)Explain the purpose of a daily stand-up (daily scrum) meeting.(2)
(d)Explain the purpose of a sprint retrospective.(2)
(Total for Question 8 is 9 marks)
9
Extreme Programming (XP) is an agile methodology that emphasises technical practices.
(a)State three practices associated with Extreme Programming.(3)
(b)Explain one benefit of pair programming.(3)
(c)Explain one benefit of using continuous integration in a development team.(3)
(Total for Question 9 is 9 marks)
10
The spiral model combines iterative development with a strong focus on risk management.
(a)Describe the four phases carried out in each loop (cycle) of the spiral model.(4)
(b)Explain why the spiral model is well suited to large, high-risk projects.(3)
(c)Explain one disadvantage of using the spiral model.(2)
(Total for Question 10 is 9 marks)
11
A start-up company is developing a mobile app for online banking. The app must be launched within 4 months to meet a marketing deadline, but the founders expect features to change as user feedback comes in after each release. Security and regulatory compliance are critical.
(a)Recommend and justify a suitable software development methodology for this project.(8)
(Total for Question 11 is 8 marks)
12
A small independent bookshop wants a new till (point-of-sale) and stock management system. The owner has a very limited budget and standard requirements similar to many other small shops, but wants some control over any future changes to the software.
(a)Discuss which combination of software type (bespoke vs off-the-shelf) and licensing model (open source vs closed source) would best meet the bookshop's needs, and justify your recommendation.(8)
(Total for Question 12 is 8 marks)
13
Evaluate the extent to which agile methodologies have made the waterfall model obsolete for modern software development.
(a)Evaluate the extent to which agile methodologies have made the waterfall model obsolete for modern software development.(9)
(Total for Question 13 is 9 marks)
14
A university is replacing its student records system, which is used by over 20,000 students and staff and must comply with strict data protection law. Errors in the new system could result in incorrect exam results being issued. The university has stated that it wants to combine techniques from more than one development methodology.
(a)Suggest one reason why a purely agile approach might be considered too risky for this project.(3)
(b)Suggest one reason why a purely waterfall approach might also be unsuitable.(3)
(c)Describe a hybrid approach the university could use, combining features of two methodologies, and explain how it addresses the risks identified in (a) and (b).(6)
(Total for Question 14 is 12 marks)
Mark scheme · A1.2 Types of Software and Development Methodologies

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Question 4

Question 5

Question 6

Question 7

Question 8

Question 9

Question 10

Question 11

Question 12

Question 13

Question 14

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Question 1

7 marks

Question 2

10 marks

Question 3

8 marks

Question 4

9 marks

Question 5

10 marks

Question 6

8 marks

Question 7

13 marks

Question 8

9 marks

Question 9

9 marks

Question 10

9 marks

Question 11

8 marks
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Question 12

8 marks
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Question 13

9 marks
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Question 14

12 marks
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