The Systems Life Cycle (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE ICT): Flashcards
Exam code: 0417 & 0983
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Define the system life cycle.
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Cards in this collection (80)
Define the system life cycle.
The system life cycle is a structured process that guides the planning, creation, testing and deployment of an information system.
What is the purpose of the analysis stage?
The purpose of the analysis stage is to gather detailed requirements from stakeholders and analyse them to understand what the system should accomplish.
Name the four research methods a systems analyst can use.
The four research methods are observation, questionnaires, interviews and looking at the existing system, including its paperwork.
Define observation as a research method.
Observation is watching users interact with the current system to see how it acts and works.
Give one disadvantage of observation.
People do not always behave in the same way when they are under observation.
Which research method allows the analyst to change questions based on the answers given?
Interviews allow the analyst to change questions based on responses, because they are one-to-one question and answer sessions.
True or False?
Interviews allow employees to remain anonymous.
False.
Interviews cannot remain anonymous, so employees may not give honest responses for fear of repercussions. Questionnaires can be anonymous.
True or False?
Questionnaires are quick and inexpensive to use.
True.
Questionnaires are quick, inexpensive and can be anonymous, but the analyst cannot ask follow-up questions and the response rate can be low.
Give one advantage of looking at the existing system.
Looking at the existing system lets the analyst obtain information that cannot be obtained from other methods.
Which six key aspects must be identified when analysing the current system?
The six key aspects are inputs, outputs, processing, problems, user requirements and information requirements.
Define user requirements.
User requirements are what users need from the new system.
What are data flow diagrams (DFDs) used for?
Data flow diagrams (DFDs) help analysts to understand the inputs, outputs and processing in the existing system.
A is drawn up from the results of the analysis.
A requirements specification is drawn up from the results of the analysis.
What is the purpose of the design stage?
The purpose of the design stage is to develop architectural blueprints for the system, including database design, user interfaces and system interfaces.
What four things are defined when designing a file structure?
A file structure defines field names, field lengths, data types and primary keys.
What is a file made up of?
A file consists of records, and records are made up of fields.
Define primary key.
A primary key is the field that uniquely identifies each record.
Which data type stores data in a Yes/No or True/False format?
The Boolean data type stores data in a Yes/No or True/False format.
Which data type would be used for a postcode or a product code?
The alphanumeric data type would be used, because it stores a combination of characters and numeric data.
True or False?
The character data type stores a single letter or symbol.
True.
The character data type stores a single letter or symbol, such as A, B or C.
Define validation routine.
A validation routine is a check placed on data being entered to ensure it matches the design of the system.
Name the six validation routines.
The six validation routines are the range check, length check, type check, format check, presence check and check digit.
Which validation routine checks that a field has not been left blank?
A presence check looks to see if any data has been entered in a field.
Which validation routine would check a date of birth is entered as DD/MM/YY?
A format check ensures that data has been entered in the correct format.
Define check digit.
A check digit is a numerical value that is the final digit of a larger code, such as a barcode.
Validation routines prevent errors and maintain data .
Validation routines prevent errors and maintain data integrity.
What is a data capture form used for?
A data capture form is used to collect data from a user in a structured format.
Give two ways a data capture form should aid the collection of data.
A data capture form should have a user-friendly layout, provide clear instructions, use appropriate question types and use validation routines.
What is the purpose of the testing stage?
The purpose of testing is to verify that the system meets all requirements, functions correctly and is free of bugs.
Define test strategy.
A test strategy is a method of testing a completed system to ensure all parts work as intended.
How is a system that is designed in modules tested?
Each module is tested independently, and testing is done again once all modules are joined together.
True or False?
Once changes have been made to a system, it does not need to be tested again.
False.
Testing is repeated once all changes have been made.
Name the five things a test design covers.
A test design covers data structures, file structures, input formats, output formats and validation routines.
Why are validation routines tested?
Validation routines are tested to check that the system rejects unreasonable data being inputted.
What four things does a test plan include?
A test plan includes the test data, the expected outcomes, the actual outcomes and any remedial action.
Define remedial action.
Remedial action is the steps taken to fix identified issues.
Name the four categories of test data.
The four categories of test data are normal, extreme, abnormal and live.
Define normal data.
Normal data is data that should be accepted by the system and that has a known outcome.
Define extreme data.
Extreme data is data that is on the limits of what is acceptable.
True or False?
Extreme data should be rejected by the system.
False.
Extreme data is on the limits of what is acceptable, so it is accepted. It is abnormal data, which is outside the limits of what is acceptable, that should be rejected.
data is data from the old system used on the new system.
Live data is data from the old system used on the new system.
Why is live data useful when testing a new system?
Live data has known outcomes, so the results can be compared with the old system to ensure the new system works.
What is the purpose of the implementation stage?
The purpose of implementation is to deploy the system to the production environment and ensure all components work together in the live setting.
When does system implementation take place?
Implementation takes place after a system has been fully tested and is working correctly.
What are the two stages of system implementation?
The two stages are transferring data from the old system to the new system and the system changeover.
Define changeover.
A changeover is moving from the old system to the new system.
Name the four methods of changeover.
The four methods of changeover are direct, parallel, pilot running and phased.
Define direct changeover.
In a direct changeover the old system is replaced by the new system immediately.
Define parallel running.
In parallel running both the old and the new systems run simultaneously for a period before the old system is phased out.
Which changeover method implements the new system in one branch of a company?
Pilot running implements the new system in a small, controlled environment before full-scale implementation.
In implementation the new system is introduced in stages, with each stage replacing a part of the old system.
In phased implementation the new system is introduced in stages, with each stage replacing a part of the old system.
Give one advantage of a direct changeover.
A direct changeover gives fast implementation and is cost-effective, because only one system is in operation.
Give two disadvantages of a direct changeover.
A direct changeover has a high risk of failure, no fallback, no backup of the system, and users cannot be trained on the new system beforehand.
True or False?
Parallel running is cheaper than a direct changeover.
False.
Parallel running is time-consuming and resource-intensive because two systems run at once. A direct changeover is the cost-effective method.
Give one advantage of parallel running.
Parallel running has a lower risk and allows easy comparison of the two systems.
Give one disadvantage of pilot running.
Pilot running gives slower implementation, potential inconsistencies, confusion because two systems are in use, and no backup for the branch using the new system.
True or False?
Phased implementation reduces risk and is easier to manage.
True.
Phased implementation gives reduced risk and is easier to manage, but it takes longer and there may be compatibility issues.
Define technical documentation.
Technical documentation is detailed information on the system's inner workings and programming for developers and IT staff.
What three things does technical documentation allow the system to be?
Technical documentation enables the system to be maintained, repaired and updated.
Define user documentation.
User documentation is instructions and guidance for end-users on how to operate the system.
What does user documentation enable end-users to do?
User documentation enables end-users to effectively use the system and overcome problems.
Name three items found in technical documentation but not in user documentation.
Items found only in technical documentation include the program listing, program language, program flowcharts/algorithms, system flowcharts, file structures, list of variables, test runs and validation routines.
Name three items found in both technical and user documentation.
Both include the purpose of the system, its limitations, the hardware and software requirements, the input format, the output format and sample runs.
True or False?
A glossary of terms is part of technical documentation.
False.
A glossary of terms is part of user documentation, along with frequently asked questions and a troubleshooting guide.
True or False?
The limitations of a system appear in both technical and user documentation.
True.
Limitations, meaning the known constraints or issues with the system, appear in both types of documentation.
Which two items in user documentation help a user solve common problems?
A troubleshooting guide/helpline and frequently asked questions help a user solve common problems.
Which type of documentation explains error messages and error handling?
User documentation explains error messages and error handling.
Give two instructions about records that appear in user documentation.
User documentation explains adding records and deleting or editing records.
What are system flowcharts used to show?
System flowcharts are visual representations of the interactions between system components.
What three things must you assess to evaluate a system?
You must assess the efficiency, the ease of use and the appropriateness of the solution.
What can you do once a system has been successfully evaluated?
You can identify limitations and propose improvements.
A system's efficiency is evaluated in terms of which three things?
Efficiency is evaluated in terms of resource usage, time and cost.
Give one question you would ask when evaluating efficiency.
You would ask whether the system operates quicker than the previous system, whether it reduces staff time, or whether it reduces staff costs.
Define ease of use in an evaluation.
Ease of use is how user-friendly and accessible the solution is for its intended audience.
Give one question you would ask when evaluating ease of use.
You would ask whether all users can complete their tasks easily and whether staff can understand how to use the system with minimal training.
How is the appropriateness of a solution evaluated?
Appropriateness is evaluated by comparing the implemented solution with the original task requirements and judging how well it meets the intended purpose.
True or False?
User feedback forms part of the evaluation of a system.
True.
Users' responses to the results of testing give insights into potential issues and improvements and help determine overall user satisfaction.
True or False?
Evaluating a system only means checking whether it works.
False.
Evaluation assesses the efficiency, ease of use and appropriateness of the solution, not just whether it functions.
Name two evaluation strategies.
Evaluation strategies include comparing the final solution with the user requirements, identifying limitations, identifying further improvements, analysing feedback from users and comparing test results from the new system with the old system.
What should be summarised when reporting the testing process in an evaluation?
The summary should cover the test data, the expected outcomes and the actual outcomes.
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