Free Solved [June 2024] BCS051 - Introduction to Software Engineering | V SEM BCA IGNOU

1. (a) Develop SRS for Online Assignment Submission System (OASS) for students of various courses of university. SRS should be in IEEE format. Make necessary assumptions. (25 Marks)

Answer:

• 1. Introduction

  1. 1.1 Purpose

     This document provides a detailed Software Requirements Specification (SRS) for an Online Assignment Submission System (OASS). The intended audience includes development teams, project managers, system administrators, and educational institution stakeholders who will implement and maintain the system.

  2. 1.2 Scope

     The OASS will provide a comprehensive platform for managing the entire lifecycle of academic assignments, from creation to grading. The system will:

     • Enable faculty to create and manage assignments
     • Allow students to submit assignments electronically
     • Provide grading and feedback mechanisms
     • Generate reports and analytics
     • Integrate with existing Learning Management Systems
     • Support multiple file format submissions
     • Implement plagiarism detection
     • Provide automated grading capabilities
     • Support batch operations for assignments

     The system will not:

     • Handle real-time video submissions
     • Provide live classroom management
     • Process financial transactions
     • Manage course enrollment
     • Handle student attendance
     • Provide video conferencing capabilities

  3. 1.3 Definitions

     • OASS: Online Assignment Submission System
     • LMS: Learning Management System
     • API: Application Programming Interface
     • GUI: Graphical User Interface
     • CRUD: Create, Read, Update, Delete
     • PDF: Portable Document Format
     • WYSIWYG: What You See Is What You Get
     • FERPA: Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
     • WCAG: Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
     • SSO: Single Sign-On

  4. 1.4 References

     • IEEE 830-1998 SRS Guidelines
     • FERPA Compliance Documentation
     • WCAG 2.1 Guidelines
     • Institutional IT Security Policies

• 2. Overall Description

  1. 2.1 Product Perspective

     The OASS will be a web-based system that can operate independently or integrate with existing LMS platforms. It will utilize modern web technologies and follow a client-server architecture.

     System Interfaces

     • Web Interface: React-based responsive frontend
     • Database: PostgreSQL for data persistence
     • Storage: Cloud-based file storage system
     • Authentication: OAuth 2.0 and SSO integration

  2. 2.2 Product Functions

     Major functions include:

     • User authentication and authorization
       • SSO integration
       • Role-based access control
       • Password management
     • Assignment management
       • Creation and editing
       • Scheduling and deadlines
       • Template management
       • Batch operations
     • Submission handling
       • Multiple file format support
       • Version control
       • Plagiarism detection
     • Grading system
       • Rubric-based grading
       • Automated grading
       • Feedback mechanisms

  3. 2.3 User Characteristics

     1. Administrators
        • Technical expertise: Moderate to high
        • Frequency of use: Daily
        • Primary tasks:
          • User management
          • System configuration
          • Security monitoring
          • Performance optimization
     2. Faculty
        • Technical expertise: Basic to moderate
        • Frequency of use: Regular
        • Primary tasks:
          • Assignment creation
          • Grading management
          • Student feedback
          • Report generation
     3. Students
        • Technical expertise: Basic
        • Frequency of use: Regular
        • Primary tasks:
          • Assignment submission
          • Progress tracking
          • Feedback review
          • Grade monitoring

  4. 2.4 Constraints

     Technical Constraints:

     • Browser Compatibility:
       • Chrome (latest 2 versions)
       • Firefox (latest 2 versions)
       • Safari (latest 2 versions)
       • Edge (latest 2 versions)
     • Mobile Responsiveness:
       • iOS 13+
       • Android 10+
     • File Handling:
       • Maximum file size: 100MB
       • Supported formats: PDF, DOC, DOCX, ZIP, RAR
       • Storage quota per course: 10GB

     Regulatory Constraints:

     • Data Protection:
       • FERPA compliance
       • GDPR compliance where applicable
       • Data encryption at rest and in transit
     • Accessibility:
       • WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance
       • Screen reader compatibility
       • Keyboard navigation support

• 3. Functional Requirements

  1. 3.1 Authentication and Authorization

     • User Registration
       • System shall support SSO integration
       • System shall enforce strong password policies
       • System shall support email verification
     • Access Control
       • System shall implement role-based access control
       • System shall maintain audit logs of access attempts
       • System shall support session management

  2. 3.2 Assignment Management

     • → Creation
       • Faculty shall be able to create assignments with deadlines
       • System shall support rich text editing
       • System shall allow file attachments
     • → Submission
       • Students shall be able to submit multiple file formats
       • System shall enforce deadline policies
       • System shall provide submission receipts

  3. 3.3 Grading System

     • → Grading Interface
       • System shall support rubric-based grading
       • System shall allow batch grading
       • System shall support grade normalization
     • → Feedback
       • Faculty shall be able to provide text and audio feedback
       • System shall support annotation tools
       • System shall allow feedback templates

• 4. Performance Requirements

  1. 4.1 Response Time

     • Page load time shall not exceed 2 seconds
     • File upload response time shall not exceed 5 seconds per MB
     • Search queries shall complete within 1 second

  2. 4.2 Capacity

     • System shall support 10,000 concurrent users
     • System shall handle 1,000 simultaneous submissions
     • Database shall support 1 million assignments

  3. 4.3 Reliability

     • System uptime shall be 99.9%
     • Backup frequency shall be daily
     • Recovery time objective (RTO) shall be 4 hours

• 5. Interface Requirements

  1. 5.1 User Interface

     • → Design Standards
       • Material Design principles shall be followed
       • Consistent color scheme and typography shall be maintained
       • Responsive layout shall adapt to all devices
     • → Navigation
       • Intuitive menu structure shall be implemented
       • Breadcrumb navigation shall be provided
       • Quick access toolbar shall be available

  2. 5.2 API Interface

     • → REST API Implementation
       • Standard HTTP methods shall be used
       • JSON response format shall be implemented
       • Versioning shall be supported
     • → Integration Requirements
       • LMS integration protocols shall be supported
       • OAuth 2.0 authentication shall be implemented
       • Rate limiting shall be enforced

• 6. Security Requirements

  1. 6.1 Authentication Security

     • User Authentication
       • Multi-factor authentication shall be supported
       • Password complexity rules shall be enforced
       • Account lockout policies shall be implemented
     • Session Management
       • Secure session handling shall be implemented
       • Session timeout shall be configurable
       • Concurrent session limits shall be enforced

  2. 6.2 Data Security

     • → Encryption Requirements
       • AES-256 encryption for stored data
       • TLS 1.3 for data transmission
       • Secure key management system
     • → Access Control
       • Role-based access control (RBAC)
       • IP-based access restrictions
       • Audit logging of all access attempts

• 7. Quality Requirements

  1. 7.1 Performance Metrics

     • → Response Time
       • Page load time shall not exceed 2 seconds
       • Search queries shall complete within 1 second
       • File uploads shall process at minimum 1MB/second
     • → Scalability
       • Support for 10,000 concurrent users
       • Handle 1,000 simultaneous submissions
       • Support 1 million assignments in database

  2. 7.2 Reliability

     • → System Availability
       • 99.9% uptime guarantee
       • Automated backup every 24 hours
       • Maximum 4-hour recovery time
     • → Error Handling
       • Graceful error recovery
       • User-friendly error messages
       • Automated error reporting

• 8. System Evolution

  1. 8.1 Future Enhancements

     • → Planned Features
       • Mobile application development
       • AI-powered grading assistance
       • Advanced analytics dashboard
     • → Integration Roadmap
       • Additional LMS platform support
       • Third-party tool integration
       • External repository connectivity

  2. 8.2 Maintenance Plan

     • → Regular Updates
       • Monthly security patches
       • Quarterly feature updates
       • Annual major version releases
     • → System Support
       • 24/7 technical support
       • Regular system monitoring
       • Performance optimization

1. (b) Explain Rapid Application Development (RAD) approach for Software Development. What are the advantages and disadvantages of RAD approach over Waterfall Model? (10 Marks)

Answer:

The Rapid Application Development (RAD) approach is a software development methodology emphasizing quick development cycles, iterative prototyping, and user feedback to deliver functional software rapidly. It is particularly effective for projects requiring high adaptability and speed.

The RAD approach consists of the following key phases:

• Requirements Planning: Focuses on understanding the project scope, user requirements, and system objectives.
• User Design: Incorporates user feedback through prototyping to refine the system design iteratively.
• Construction: Utilizes rapid development tools to build functional components in short timeframes.
• Cutover: Finalizes the product, performs testing, and deploys the software for user acceptance.

RAD prioritizes user involvement, iterative development, and modular design to achieve high-quality results in less time compared to traditional methods like the Waterfall Model.

Advantages of RAD Approach over Waterfall Model:

• Speed: RAD significantly reduces development time by focusing on rapid prototyping and modular design.
• Flexibility: Changes in requirements can be easily accommodated, making RAD more adaptable to user needs.
• User Involvement: Active participation of users ensures that the final product aligns closely with their expectations.
• Risk Reduction: Frequent prototypes help identify and address issues early, minimizing risks.
• Quality: Continuous testing and user feedback improve the quality of the final product.

Disadvantages of RAD Approach over Waterfall Model:

• Resource Intensive: Requires a highly skilled development team and active user involvement, which may not always be feasible.
• Scalability Issues: RAD is less suitable for large, complex projects with rigid structures.
• Lack of Documentation: Focus on rapid development can lead to inadequate documentation, causing issues in future maintenance.
• Dependency on Users: Relies heavily on user availability and feedback, which might delay progress if users are not actively engaged.
• Cost: Prototyping and frequent iterations may increase costs compared to the Waterfall Model for certain projects.

Comparison with Waterfall Model:

Unlike the Waterfall Model, which follows a linear and sequential process, RAD emphasizes iterative development and continuous user feedback. The Waterfall Model assumes well-defined and static requirements, making it less flexible to changes. RAD, on the other hand, adapts to evolving requirements and delivers functional prototypes quickly, ensuring better alignment with user needs.

1. (b) Explain any five key features of Function Oriented Design. (10 Marks)

Answer:

Function Oriented Design (FOD) is a software design approach focused on decomposing the system into smaller functional units called modules or procedures. Each module represents a specific function or a set of related functions to achieve the desired system behavior. Below are five key features of Function Oriented Design:

1. Modular Structure:

Function Oriented Design emphasizes dividing the software into smaller, manageable modules. Each module performs a specific function, which simplifies development, debugging, and maintenance. For example, in a payroll system, separate modules could handle salary computation, tax calculation, and report generation.

2. Data Flow Representation:

The design uses Data Flow Diagrams (DFDs) to represent how data moves between functions and processes within the system. It helps in visualizing the flow of input, processing, and output, providing a clear understanding of the system's functionality.

3. Functional Decomposition:

The system is broken down into a hierarchy of functions, starting from a high-level overview and moving to detailed sub-functions. This top-down approach helps in better understanding and designing the system's behavior in a systematic manner.

4. Reusability:

Function Oriented Design promotes reusability by allowing commonly used functions or modules to be reused across different parts of the system or even in other projects. This reduces redundancy and development effort.

5. Strong Focus on Processes:

The primary focus of Function Oriented Design is on defining and refining processes or operations that the system performs. This ensures that the design is centered around achieving specific objectives and solving user problems effectively.

2. (a) Draw the zero and first level DFDs for OASS. Make necessary assumptions (10 marks)

Answer:

1. Context Diagram (Level 0 DFD)

The Context Diagram offers a high-level overview of the Online Assignment Submission System (OASS). It visualizes the system as a single process, showing its interactions with external entities.

→ Purpose: Define system boundaries and external interactions.

Key Components:

→ External Entities: Users, stakeholders, or other systems interacting with OASS.
→ Single Process: Represents the entire system.
→ Data Flows: Shows the exchange of data between the system and entities.

Example: Interaction between the user, OASS, and the instructor in an online assignment submission system.

2. Detailed Diagram (Level 1 DFD)

The Level 1 DFD delves deeper into OASS processes shown in the context diagram, detailing internal workflows and data interactions.

→ Purpose: Show data flow between internal processes and storage.
Key Components:

→ Processes: Operations performed by OASS.
→ Data Stores: Locations where data is stored, like databases.
→ External Entities: Same as in the context diagram.
→ Data Flows: Connect entities, processes, and stores.

Example: Processes like "Submit Assignment" and "Notify Instructor" are broken into manageable steps within OASS.

2. (b) Draw GANTT chart for the development of OASS. (10 Marks)

Answer:

PERT Chart for Online Assignment Submission System (OASS) Development

The PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique) Chart helps visualize task dependencies and the project timeline for the development of OASS. Using a Gantt-style representation, we can also track durations and dependencies clearly.

→ Purpose: Visualize task scheduling, dependencies, and critical path.

Key Components:

→ Tasks: Major phases of the project like analysis, design, and testing.
→ Dependencies: Tasks that rely on the completion of previous tasks.
→ Timeline: Duration of each task and the overall project.

Example: The chart shows how "Integrate Features" starts after "Develop Core Modules," and "Deployment" is the final phase.

3. (a)Draw ERD for OASS. Make necessary assumptions.(10 Marks)

Answer:

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3. (b) Define Data Dictionary. Consider a Data Element Student. What information about Student is stored in Data Dictionary? (10 Marks)

Answer:

A Data Dictionary is a centralized repository of information about data elements in a system. It defines the names, types, descriptions, and attributes of data used in the system, ensuring consistency and standardization. It is an essential component of system design, aiding developers, analysts, and stakeholders in understanding the data structure.

For the data element Student, the following information would typically be stored in the Data Dictionary:

• Name: Student - The name of the data element.
• Type: Entity - Represents a real-world entity.
• Attributes: Contains the various properties of the Student data element, such as:
  • StudentID: Unique identifier for each student (e.g., Integer or String).
  • Name: Full name of the student (e.g., String).
  • DateOfBirth: Date of birth of the student (e.g., Date).
  • Gender: Gender of the student (e.g., Male/Female/Other, String).
  • Address: Residential address of the student (e.g., String).
  • ContactNumber: Phone number of the student (e.g., Integer or String).
  • CourseEnrolled: The course or program the student is enrolled in (e.g., String).
  • Grade: The current grade or academic performance (e.g., String or Float).
• Description: Represents the details of an individual enrolled in an institution.
• Relationships: Defines relationships with other data elements, such as:
  • Linked to: Courses, Faculty, or Attendance data elements.
  • Participates in: Exams, Assignments, or Events.
• Constraints: Rules applied to ensure data validity, such as:
  • StudentID must be unique.
  • DateOfBirth cannot be in the future.
  • ContactNumber must have a specific length.

The Data Dictionary for Student ensures clarity and consistency in data usage throughout the system, aiding in efficient system design and development.

4. (a) Explain the methodology for identification of objects in Object Oriented Design with an example. (10 Marks)

Answer:

In Object Oriented Design (OOD), identifying objects is a crucial step in transforming real-world requirements into a software system. Objects are the fundamental building blocks of OOD, representing entities with attributes (data) and behaviors (methods). The methodology for identifying objects involves the following steps:

• Understand Requirements: Analyze the problem domain and gather system requirements from stakeholders, focusing on real-world entities and their interactions.
• Identify Nouns: Extract nouns from the problem description or requirements documentation. Nouns often indicate potential objects or classes (e.g., Customer, Product).
• Refine the List: Filter the identified nouns to exclude irrelevant or redundant entities. Focus on those that are significant to the system's functionality.
• Determine Responsibilities: Assign attributes and behaviors to each identified object based on the responsibilities they will have in the system.
• Establish Relationships: Identify relationships between objects, such as associations, inheritance, or aggregation, to define their interactions.
• Iterative Refinement: Revisit and refine the objects as more clarity emerges during design or development phases.

Example:

Consider a Library Management System. The steps to identify objects would be:

• Analyze Requirements: The system should manage books, users, and borrowing activities.
• Identify Nouns: Key nouns include Library, Book, User, Borrow, Return, Author, and Fine.
• Refine the List: Exclude irrelevant nouns (e.g., physical library building) and focus on significant entities like Book, User, BorrowTransaction, and Author.
• Assign Responsibilities:
  • Book: Attributes - Title, ISBN, Author, CopiesAvailable. Methods - Borrow(), Return().
  • User: Attributes - UserID, Name, ContactInfo. Methods - BorrowBook(), ReturnBook().
  • BorrowTransaction: Attributes - TransactionID, User, Book, BorrowDate, DueDate. Methods - CalculateFine().
  • Author: Attributes - Name, Biography. Methods - GetBooksWritten().
• Establish Relationships:
  • A User can borrow multiple Books (association).
  • Each BorrowTransaction links a User with a Book.
  • A Book can have one or more Authors (aggregation).

This methodology ensures a systematic approach to identifying and designing objects, forming the foundation for a robust and maintainable software system.

4 (b). Explain the terms ‘Module Testing’ and ‘Integration Testing’. (10 Marks)

Answer:

Module Testing and Integration Testing are two key stages in the software testing lifecycle. Both ensure the quality and functionality of the software but focus on different aspects.

1. Module Testing:

Also known as Unit Testing, Module Testing involves testing individual components or modules of the software in isolation. It verifies that each module performs its intended functionality correctly.

• Objective: To identify and fix bugs within a specific module before it is integrated with other modules.
• Scope: Limited to a single module, focusing on its internal logic, functionality, and data flow.
• Performed By: Typically performed by developers or testers with knowledge of the module’s design.
• Tools: Tools like JUnit, NUnit, and pytest are commonly used for automating module tests.
• Example: Testing a Login module to ensure it validates user credentials and provides appropriate responses for valid and invalid inputs.

2. Integration Testing:

Integration Testing verifies the interactions between multiple modules or components to ensure they work together as expected. It checks the data flow and communication between modules.

• Objective: To identify issues in the interfaces and interactions between integrated modules.
• Scope: Focuses on the integration points and overall system behavior after modules are combined.
• Performed By: Performed by testers or a dedicated testing team.
• Approaches:
  • Top-Down Testing: Start testing from the top-level modules and progressively integrate lower-level modules.
  • Bottom-Up Testing: Start testing from lower-level modules and integrate upwards.
  • Big Bang Testing: Test all modules together after full integration.
• Example: Testing the interaction between a Login module and a Dashboard module to ensure a successful login redirects the user to the dashboard with accurate data.

Both Module Testing and Integration Testing play vital roles in delivering a high-quality software product. Module Testing ensures the reliability of individual components, while Integration Testing ensures the seamless interaction between them.

5(a) Explain various challenges for successful debugging. (10 Marks)

Answer:

Debugging is the process of identifying, analyzing, and fixing bugs or defects in software. While it is a crucial activity in the software development lifecycle, it poses several challenges that can complicate the process. The key challenges for successful debugging are as follows:

• 1. Reproducing the Bug: Many bugs are context-specific and may only occur under certain conditions, making it difficult to reproduce the issue for analysis and resolution.
• 2. Complex Code Base: Large and complex software systems with interdependent components can make tracing the root cause of a bug challenging.
• 3. Lack of Information: Insufficient logs, vague error messages, or missing documentation can hinder the debugging process by providing inadequate insights into the bug’s origin.
• 4. Time Constraints: Debugging can be time-consuming, and project deadlines often pressure developers to fix bugs quickly without fully understanding the underlying issues.
• 5. Environment-Specific Issues: Bugs that only appear in specific environments (e.g., production versus development) can be difficult to replicate and debug effectively.
• 6. Side Effects of Fixes: Fixing one bug can introduce new issues or affect unrelated parts of the software, leading to a cycle of new bugs and fixes.
• 7. Tool Limitations: Debugging tools may not provide sufficient support for certain types of software, such as multi-threaded or distributed systems, limiting their effectiveness.
• 8. Poor Testing Practices: Inadequate testing can lead to bugs being discovered late in the development process, when they are harder and more expensive to fix.
• 9. Developer Bias: Developers may overlook certain parts of the code or make incorrect assumptions about its behavior, leading to missed bugs or incorrect fixes.
• 10. Communication Barriers: In team settings, lack of clear communication about the bug’s symptoms, reproduction steps, or history can slow down debugging efforts.

Overcoming these challenges requires a systematic approach, including detailed logging, comprehensive testing, effective use of debugging tools, and collaboration among team members. Debugging is a skill that improves with experience, enabling developers to handle complex issues more efficiently.

5(b) List any five software testing tools indicating the testing phase in which they can be employed. (10 Marks)

Answer:

Software testing tools assist in automating and managing the testing process across various phases of the Software Testing Lifecycle (STLC). Below are five popular software testing tools and the corresponding testing phases where they are employed:

• 1. Selenium:
  • Testing Phase: Automation Testing (Functional and Regression Testing)
  • Purpose: Automates web application testing across different browsers and platforms.
  • Example Use: Verifying that a web application’s login functionality works as expected after multiple code changes.
• 2. JUnit:
  • Testing Phase: Unit Testing
  • Purpose: Provides a framework for testing Java applications at the unit level.
  • Example Use: Ensuring individual methods in a class, such as mathematical calculations, return correct results.
• 3. LoadRunner:
  • Testing Phase: Performance Testing
  • Purpose: Simulates user loads to test the performance, scalability, and reliability of applications.
  • Example Use: Measuring the response time of an e-commerce website during peak traffic conditions.
• 4. Bugzilla:
  • Testing Phase: Defect Tracking (Applicable throughout all phases)
  • Purpose: Tracks and manages reported software bugs and issues.
  • Example Use: Logging a bug discovered during functional testing and tracking its resolution status.
• 5. Postman:
  • Testing Phase: API Testing
  • Purpose: Tests APIs by sending requests and validating responses.
  • Example Use: Verifying that an API endpoint correctly returns user details when provided with valid input.

These tools streamline the testing process, ensuring higher efficiency, accuracy, and reliability in software development.