Hints for Exam 1

1. The definitions of software (SW) and software engineering (SE) - is this an oxymoron?

2. Similarities and differences between SW and hardware (HW).

3. Several general types of SW applications.

4. An understanding of the "thrusts" of the SW so-called "myths."

5. The various SW process models

a. Rapid Application Development (RAD)

b. Prototyping (3 types).

c. Exploratory Development.

6. Configuration Management (CM) issues and the role of the Librarian (Babich).

7. Distinctions between SW Derivations, Variations, and Versions (a la Babich).

8. SW Team Problems (a la Babich).

a. The Double Maintenance Problem (DMP).

b. The Shared Code Problem (SCP).

c. The Simultaneous Update Problem (SUP).

9. Various methods of storing versions of SW.

10. Causes of SW maintenance.

11. Metrics and measures (later factors) of SW quality.

12. Advantages/disadvantageous of the SW line of code (SLOC, LOC, KDSI, LSI) metrics.

13. Advantages/disadvantageous of the SW function point (FP) metrics.

14. Distinctions between programmer and SW engineer.

15. The 40-20-40 rule of SW development.

16. The SW life cycle models.

a. The linear model.

b. The Waterfall model.

c. The Spiral model.

d. The Web development model.

e. The GSU model.

17. Calculating costs and effort with the COCOMO model.

18. Comparing FPs with costs and effort.

19. The results of the Sackman experiments

20. One and two-way communication channels of a SW project team of size n.

21. Brooks' Law.

22. Software Quality Assurance (SQA) and Total Quality Management (TQM).

23. The RMMM Plan.

24. SW

a. scope (5).

b. risks (4).

c. reliability (3).

25. Requirements versus specifications.

26. Miscellaneous definitions: out-sourcing, off-the-shelf, request-for-proposal, and more, etc.

27. Miscellaneous three letter acronyms: CBD, RFP, FTR, V&V, TLA, SQA, SCM, CMM, DRE,

KPA, 4GT, CSF, RAD, MOI, FAQ, WBS, SEI, and many others.

28. Who are Boehm, Booch, Berard, Basili, Freeman, Weinberg, Wegner, and Gates?

29. Who are Barbee, Blaise, Jean, Grace, Shari, Capers, and Michael?

30. Have you visited a Web site referenced in your text?