AL-403 Software Engineering - Jun 2025 Question Paper

Under each question, How to answer lists the points an answer should cover, outlined by CampusPrep from the syllabus. Check the details against your textbook.

1. 7 Marks
   aDifferentiate between software product characteristics and software process characteristics.
   How to answer

   • Define software product characteristics (correctness, reliability, usability, efficiency, maintainability, portability).
   • Define software process characteristics (understandability, visibility, supportability, acceptability, reliability, robustness, rapidity, maintainability).
   • Compare focus: product = outcome qualities vs process = development activity qualities.
   • Give examples and relationship between process quality and product quality.
2. 7 Marks
   bExplain the Linear Sequential Model and discuss its advantages and disadvantages.
   How to answer

   • Define Linear Sequential Model / Waterfall with sequential phases.
   • Explain phases: requirements, design, implementation, testing, maintenance.
   • List advantages: simple, disciplined, documentation oriented.
   • List disadvantages: inflexible, late working product, poor handling of change.
   • Diagram of waterfall flow.
3. 7 Marks
   aWhat is the Component Assembly Model? How does it differ from the Incremental Model?
   How to answer

   • Define Component Assembly / Component-Based Development model and reusable components.
   • Explain steps: component identification, qualification, adaptation, assembly, testing.
   • Define Incremental Model with increments and deliveries.
   • Compare on reusability, development approach, cost, time, flexibility.
4. 7 Marks
   bExplain the purpose of process customization and improvement with reference to CMM.
   How to answer

   • Define process customization: tailoring standard process to project needs.
   • Define process improvement: continuous enhancement of capability.
   • Explain CMM 5 maturity levels and KPAs.
   • Explain role of assessment, measurement and improvement cycle.
5. 7 Marks
   aDescribe functional and non-functional requirements with examples.
   How to answer

   • Define functional requirements: what system does.
   • Define non-functional requirements: quality constraints.
   • Give examples: login, calculation vs performance, security, usability.
   • Summarize differences in tabular form.
6. 7 Marks
   bWhat are the major requirement elicitation techniques? Discuss any two in detail.
   How to answer

   • List major elicitation techniques: interviews, questionnaires, workshops, observation, prototyping, brainstorming.
   • Explain any two in detail with steps.
   • Discuss merits and limitations.
   • Mention selection criteria for technique.
7. 7 Marks
   aExplain use case modeling with the help of an example.
   How to answer

   • Define use case, actor, scenario, use case diagram elements.
   • Explain steps to build use case model.
   • Give example e.g., ATM / Library with actors and use cases.
   • Mention include, extend relationships and diagram.
8. 7 Marks
   bWhat are the key contents of a Software Requirement Specification (SRS) document?
   How to answer

   • Define SRS purpose and IEEE 830 structure.
   • List contents: introduction, overall description, specific requirements, appendices.
   • Explain functional, non-functional, interface, performance requirements sections.
   • Mention characteristics of good SRS.
9. 7 Marks
   aDescribe any four fundamental software design principles.
   How to answer

   • List principles: abstraction, modularity, information hiding, separation of concerns, coupling-cohesion, etc.
   • Describe any four with meaning.
   • Give small example for each.
   • Explain impact on maintainability and reusability.
10. 7 Marks
    bExplain the SA/SD approach to function-oriented design.
    How to answer

    • Define SA/SD: Structured Analysis and Structured Design.
    • Explain DFD, data dictionary, ERD in analysis.
    • Explain structure chart, modular decomposition in design.
    • Explain transformation from DFD to structure chart with example.
11. 7 Marks
    aWhat are architectural views? Briefly describe different architectural styles.
    How to answer

    • Define architectural views: logical, process, physical, development (4+1).
    • Define architectural style concept.
    • Briefly describe styles: layered, client-server, pipe-filter, MVC, microservices.
    • Compare applicability with examples.
12. 7 Marks
    bWhat are the key design metrics used to evaluate software design quality?
    How to answer

    • Define design metrics purpose for quality assessment.
    • List metrics: coupling, cohesion, complexity, fan-in/fan-out, LOC.
    • Explain cyclomatic complexity, CK metrics briefly.
    • Explain how metrics indicate maintainability and testability.
13. 7 Marks
    aDifferentiate between static and dynamic code analysis.
    How to answer

    • Define static analysis: without execution, code review, inspections.
    • Define dynamic analysis: with execution, testing, profiling.
    • Compare on technique, defects found, tools.
    • Give examples of tools for each.
14. 7 Marks
    bDescribe the black-box testing technique with an example.
    How to answer

    • Define black-box testing: testing without internal knowledge.
    • Explain techniques: equivalence partitioning, boundary value, decision table.
    • Give example with test cases.
    • Mention advantages and limitations.
15. 7 Marks
    aWhat is Software Configuration Management (SCM)? Describe its major activities.
    How to answer

    • Define SCM: control of software evolution and configuration items.
    • List activities: identification, version control, change control, auditing, status accounting.
    • Explain each activity briefly.
    • Mention tools e.g., Git.
16. 7 Marks
    bExplain software project feasibility analysis and its types.
    How to answer

    • Define feasibility analysis purpose in project planning.
    • Explain types: technical, economic, operational, legal, schedule.
    • Explain cost-benefit analysis, feasibility report.
    • Give example of evaluation criteria.