Information Technology: Software Development 2007–2010

Sample Exam Questions for the end of year written examination

The examination will consist of three sections:
Section A = 20 multiple-choice questions worth 1 mark each 20 marks
Section B = Short answer questions 20 marks
Section C Case study worth 50–60 marks which can comprise a range 50–60 marks of question types including short answer, multiple-part answer and extended answer

Total marks 90–100 marks

Wanna try answering them yourself before seeing my sample solutions?
Download the Software Development Sample Questions PDF from VCAA.

SECTION A – Multiple-choice questions

Question 1

WAP stands for

A. Wireless Application Program.
B. Wireless Application Protocol.
C. Wireless Administration Protocol.
D. Wireless Administration Program.

Answer is B.

You might be saying, but it means "Wireless Access Point", which is true, but it's not an option. "Wireless Application Protocol" does exist, and it's an option. Of course,WAP also stands for:

The moral of the story is to be flexible and don't freak out if you get a question that you don't expect.

Question 2

Andrew wishes to design games for hand-held PCs and mobile phones.
Which combination of features below are the most important for Andrew to consider?

A. screen size, weight and operating system
B. screen resolution, device size and processor speed
C. device size, device weight and processor speed
D. screen resolution, processor speed and memory size

Tricky one! I approached this with a process of elimination, looking for definitely "iffy" options. Rule out C because the device's size and weight are not important to a programmer. And since we decided that device size is wrong, we can also rule out option B.

A. screen size, weight and operating system
B. screen resolution, device size and processor speed
C. device size, device weight and processor speed
D. screen resolution, processor speed and memory size

That leaves 2 options, raising our chances to 50% if we relied on pure luck. But we could do better. Device weight in option A is also not important to a programmer, so we can get rid of that too.

A. screen size, weight and operating system
B. screen resolution, device size and processor speed
C. device size, device weight and processor speed
D. screen resolution, processor speed and memory size

Don't just settle blindly for the only option left: justify it to yourself before selecting it. A programmer does need to consider screen resolution (which is a very different issue to screen size, by the way), and CPU speed and memory size. So ...

Answer is D.

Question 3

Robert was hired to create a new purchasing system. He completed the project in the following order.

• analysed the existing system
• designed a new system

• wrote the code

• bought the hardware
• built the system

After testing he presented the new system to the client. This methodology is an example of the use of

A. prototyping.
B. an agile model.
C. the waterfall model.
D. rapid application development.

Answer is C.

The steps he took closely reflect the steps of the SDLC...

• analysed the existing system (ANALYSIS)
• designed a new system (DESIGN)
• wrote the code (DEVELOPMENT)
• bought the hardware (DEVELOPMENT)
• built the system (DEVELOPMENT)
• After testing (DEVELOPMENT in the 5-step 'ADDIE' SDLC model used by the VCAA in VCE SD but not ITA*)
• he presented the new system to the client . ( Could have been "Testing" - e.g. Acceptance Testing - in the classic SDLC, but the VCAA leaves it out, so it must be counted as IMPLEMENTATION)

* Winner of the "Most Acronyms in One Line Award", 2007

Question 4

When performing a desk check on an algorithm, which type of error is being checked?

A. logic
B. syntax
C. runtime
D. programming

Answer is A.

A desk check is a when you do a manual calculation following the logic of an algorithm you are developing. By playing the "pretending to be a compiler" game, you can detect flaws in the logic of the algorithm. More details on desk checks .

Question 5

You have purchased a new hand-held PC with the following specifications: 312 MHz processor, 128 MB memory,
screen resolution 320 × 320, including Bluetooth and Infrared. Bluetooth and Infrared are examples of which one of the following?

A. data communication methods over long distances
B. voice communication methods over long distances
C. data communication methods over short distances
D. voice communication methods over short distances

Answer is C. Both Bluetooth and Infrared are short-distance, easily eliminating options A and B. And since you should know they transmit data, the only viable option is C.

Question 6

This software cannot operate by itself but must be activated by a user – usually the victim. Once active, it may carry out tasks such as sending out information about the computer, allowing remote access to the computer, or corrupting files on the hard disk.

What kind of malicious program code is described above?

A. spyware
B. trojan
C. virus
D. worm

Answer is D, I think. It can't operate by itself. Worms must be activated by opening attachments, for example. Spyware must be installed by the user before it can do its job (not sure about "drive by downloads") - and spyware does not (at least yet!) aim to allow remote access or deliberately corrupt files.

True viruses attach themselves to EXE files to get propagated, and are rare nowadays: what virus scanners tend to find now are worms which are self-contained nasties that usually arrive by email. [Thinks: must check up on modern virus trends.]

Trojans are the best answer since they famously do send information from an infected computer and allow remote access. However, I have not heard of too many trojans which corrupt files.

Must admit this was not an easy question, and there were no options that were dead easy to rule out.

Question 7

The main disadvantage of using the waterfall model in managing the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is that

A. it is difficult for software engineers to manage.
B. no testing occurs until after analysis and design are complete.
C. it is impossible to get one phase perfected before moving on to the next.
D. it takes so long that the new system is out of date by the time it is complete.

I seem to remember some discussion of this question amongst SD teachers, but I can't remember the consensus of opinion. Anyway. Let's look at the options. <A> does not necessarily apply in all cases. <B> is odd: how are you able to test a product that has not even been developed?! <C> is an exaggeration. It's not impossible to get a phase perfected, it's just difficult. That leaves...

The answer is D , but it too is an exaggeration since it suggests that the new system is always out of date by the time it's complete.

Didn't like this question!

Question 8

MyGift, a mail-order gift company, is setting up an online purchasing system. It will allow customers to access a catalogue via the Internet and place an order. The catalogue and customer order details will be stored in a database.

Which three security devices and/or procedures must be employed by MyGift to prevent the loss of some or all of its data?

A. antivirus software, firewall, data encryption
B. firewall, data encryption, backup procedures
C. antivirus software, firewall, backup procedures
D. antivirus software, data encryption, backup procedures

All of the options look fair enough - there's nothing ridiculous there - so one must look closely at the offerings and balance up their relative importance. The key word in the question is "must" - we are looking for things that cannot be reasonably omitted. One must assume that the database is also online rather than on a stand-alone computer in a back room somewhere.

Antivirus software, most people would agree, is a must, so rule out option B.

A. antivirus software, firewall, data encryption
B. firewall, data encryption, backup procedures
C. antivirus software, firewall, backup procedures
D. antivirus software, data encryption, backup procedures

Backups are an easy "must", so rule out option A.

A. antivirus software, firewall, data encryption
B. firewall, data encryption, backup procedures
C. antivirus software, firewall, backup procedures
D. antivirus software, data encryption, backup procedures

So it comes down to which is more essential: a firewall or data encryption?

A firewall is always useful to anyone, including the organisation in the case study (and remember that if a question includes a case study, you must give an answer relevant to that case, even if it's atypical!) Since the database is (one must assume) online, it needs protection from hackers. Encryption is handy and valid, but if you had to choose either a firewall or encryption, you'd have to go for the firewall. So...

The answer is C.

Question 9

Which one of the following is characteristic of a high quality user interface?

A. places all functions in menus.
B. uses a range of attractive fonts and colours.
C. has all items grouped as closely together as possible.
D. has consistent labelling, button placement and navigation.

Option A is far-fetched: some big software suites have so many obscure functions that a menu bar would have to be as big as the MCG to fit them all in. Option B is perhaps preferable, but not essential. C is a bit silly. That leaves...

D is the answer. All of its components are true and sensible.

Question 10

An important database requires a date of birth to be entered for all new records. Some input errors have been detected. For example an entry was 14/05/2991 when it should have been 14/05/1991. Which one of the following validation techniques should have been used to prevent this data entry error?

A. data type check
B. existence check
C. format check
D. range check

The answer is D . The others are plainly wrong. A data type check would not say that "14/05/2991" was wrong, since it is a valid date type. Existence does not apply, since the (invalid) data item did exist! Format check would not be useful, since the format of the bad data was perfect.

Question 11

An architectural firm uses computers to create building plans which have an average file size of 500 KB each. There are currently 2000 of these files stored on its file server but the firm wishes to archive these files to a portable storage medium that will be kept in its safe.

How much data will need to be stored on the portable storage medium?

A. 1 GB
B. 1 MB
C. 10 GB
D. 10 000 000 KB

Cool! A cunning question that involves basic arithmetic and a knowledge of storage units. 500KB is (as near as dammit) to half a megabyte (MB). Strictly speaking a meg is 1024K, so half a meg would be 512K. Anyway...

2000 x 0.5MB = 1000MB which is (as near as dammit) 1GB. Option D, by the way, equates to 10,000MB, or 10GB.

Just remember 1000 bytes = 1 KB . 1000KB = 1 MB . 1000MB = 1 GB . 1000GB = 1 TB . More details. So...

The answer is A.

Question 12

For the Nassi-Schneidermann diagram above, what are the final values of A and B?

Firstly, Dr Ben Shneiderman would be appalled at the spelling of his name: there is no "C" and only one"N" at the end!

Secondly, why did they have to name the variables A and B to get confused with the answer options A and B?

Anyway, let's deskcheck the algorithm... Stuff in brackets is the current value of the variable.

Initialise... A=6, B=6

Loop 3 times, using COUNT as the counter index

Loop 1

COUNT =1
A = A (6) - COUNT (1) = 5
B = B (6) + A (5) = 11

COUNT=2
A = A (5) - COUNT (2) = 3
B = B (11) + A (3) = 14

COUNT = 3
A = A (3) - COUNT (3)= 0
B = B (14) + A (0) = 14

So the answer is D. That was fun.

Question 13

In the data flow diagram shown above, what do the symbols labelled stock and orders represent?

Question 14

In a data flow diagram, which one of the following shapes represents a process?

As mentioned above, a process is shown as a circle so...

The answer is A.

Question 15

This algorithm calculates the total cost of a group of products.

In the above algorithm, which one of the following is an array?

A. Code
B. Product_Cost[Code]
C. Total_Cost
D. WHILE

The brackets in option B are a giveaway. You have to know what an array is, but may also need to be able to transfer your knowledge of array representation in one language to the representation in pseudocode. In BASIC, arrays are shown with parentheses, such as NAME(customernumber). In C, arrays use square brackets as the pseudocode does. Be flexible. Oh, and...

The answer is B.

Question 16

Buy Now TravelFriend Notebook

The following information relates to Questions 17 and 18.

Figure 1 shows the layout for a computer network used in a hairdressing salon.

Question 17

What is the topology of the network shown in Figure 1?

A. bus
B. star
C. switch
D. file server

Well, C and D are not topologies, so cross them out immediately. We see a single cable from the server going to a switch from which branches out several cables. Typical star.

The answer is B.

Question 18

What type of network is represented in Figure 1?

A. Business Area Network
B. Large Area Network
C. Local Area Network
D. Wide Area Network

If you can't get this, you should be quite worried! A and B don't exist. It's obviously not a WAN.

The answer is C.

Question 19

Tools used to represent the physical design of a system include

A. data flow diagrams and structure charts.
B. system flow charts and context diagrams.
C. data dictionaries and context diagrams.
D. structure charts and system flow charts.

A theory question. Details are here .

Be wary - " system flow charts" are not the same as your more familiar program flow charts which are used to represent algorithms. However, they are both physical design tools.

The VCAA IT glossary says:

"PHYSICAL DESIGN - Describes how an information system will be physically implemented in order to meet its logical requirements. This involves specifying the technical (hardware and software) components that will enable the logical design specifications to be implemented. Tools to represent the physical design include system flow charts and structure charts ."

"LOGICAL DESIGN - Describes the functions required of a system, that is, what is to be done, not how it will be done. Logical design is not concerned with hardware and software requirements but rather with the processes to be performed."

"LOGICAL DESIGN TOOLS - Methods of representing what is required of an information system, including context diagrams , data flow diagrams and data dictionaries .

Therefore...

A. data flow diagrams (LOGICAL) and structure charts (PHYSICAL).
B. system flow charts (PHYSICAL) and context diagrams (LOGICAL).
C. data dictionaries (LOGICAL) and context diagrams (LOGICAL).
D. structure charts (PHYSICAL) and system flow charts (PHYSICAL).

The answer is D.

Question 20

What are the three missing components indicated on the diagram above?

The first device exposed to the internet is always your armour-plated firewall - usually a router. That ends the problem, since there's only one option with the firewall in first place. Gotta be D... but confirm it before you merrily colour in the little shape on your multiple choice answer sheet.

If device 2 is a server, that makes sense. And device 3 is feeding several devices, so it must be a switch. So we're safe. The only other option with a switch in 3rd place was B, but its server and firewall were reversed.

Answer is D.

SECTION B

" The following questions are provided to demonstrate how new aspects of Units 3–4 may be examined. Many questions from Section A of previous VCE Information Systems examinations (2003–2006) remain relevant when preparing for the VCE Software Development examination. Section B will be worth 20 marks in total. "

Question 1

Jamie used the Internet to access a website to download some screen savers. Shortly afterwards he noticed his computer was running slower than usual and, after some checking, found that the Internet was being accessed although he was not browsing.

Spyware could have been the cause of the problem. Explain how. (6 lines provided, 3 marks)

Jamie probably downloaded and installed some software, probably "free", which included spyware software that would track and report his internet activities. The 'reporting' explains the later unexpected internet access. The spyware could also perhaps change his browser's behaviour so it showed advertisements related to his browsing habits, or changed his homepage. If he had read the software's licence agreement, he probably would have been alerted that such tracking software was part of the "free" download.

Question 2

Computer programs can employ many different types of data structure to improve processing efficiency. Three simple types of data structure are arrays, records and linked lists. For each of these three data structures, identify different types of data that they deal with and the way the data is organised. (6 marks)

A pretty difficult question to have to explain, and I didn't much like the "type of data" part - rather vague and repetitive, I thought.

More details on linked lists .

Question 3

Briefly explain the use of the Rapid Application Development (RAD) method when developing systems. (8 lines, 2 marks - interesting how Q1 gave 2 lines per mark and this one gives 4 lines per mark!)

RAD, unlike the SDLC, is a responsive, flexible strategy that relies on small, frequent releases of a product. These iterations result in frequent updates. The SDLC takes a long, careful time to produce a single end-product. RAD is preferred if clients' needs change during product development, or if the market and/or technology are in flux and products must constantly adapt to a changing world. A drawback of RAD is the difficulty it has in forward planning, since its future is always likely to change. Huge, expensive, 'life-and-death' critical projects tend to be more successful when approached with the methodical, conservative, closely-monitored SDLC model.

The SDLC is the parent who plans every kilometer, minute and dollar of a holiday before anyone is allowed near the car. RAD is the wild-haired loon who leaps onto his motorbike and works out his holiday one corner at a time. Neither approach is perfect, but both have their strengths.

SECTION C – Case study

World hockey federation system

The existing system

Hockey is a popular world sport and is managed by the World Hockey Federation (WHF). The WHF runs its Hockey World Cup competition every six years. As Australia is one of the leading hockey nations, the WHF have their ["has its" - the federation is singular, not plural] headquarters in Melbourne.

The WHF hosts its [Yes, singular! Good VCAA!] own website. This has not been updated since the last World Cup. The website is hosted on a server running at 400 MHz with a 2 GB hard drive and 32 MB RAM. It operates through a router and 64K ISDN line. This was sufficient for the 1998 World Cup website as web pages were small and contained text and photos that only required a total storage space of 10 MB. It was not dynamic or interactive. The host server is also used as the network file server at the WHF headquarters. The file server is part of the existing client-server network in Melbourne. This network is connected using an eight port non-switching hub with six workstations, one colour printer, one black and white printer and a scanner.

Proposed system

For the 2004 Hockey World Cup, the WHF will set up a temporary site in the host country’s main stadium. A temporary server will collect data from all World Cup officials at each match and transmit it to the online web server in Melbourne.

For this event, the WHF will need to improve its website since it is expected that this website will receive about one million hits per day. It is planned that the new site will enable fans to search for information on teams, players and matches. This information will be kept in an interactive database. The website will also provide up-to-date statistics and photos. A real-time view of matches in progress will be provided by digital video cameras (web cams) set up at the main pitch.

Question 1

At the Hockey World Cup, officials will have wireless-enabled portable devices. These will be used to update results and statistics for the website. Maree, the system analyst, is undecided about whether to provide wireless enabled PDAs or mobile phones for the officials.

Which would you recommend?

The PDA

Provide three reasons for your recommendation. (3 marks)

[Commentary: OK. This is a really tough one. Probably in 2003 when it was written, the answers were a lot more obvious, but in 2007 it's much murkier due to convergence . In 2003, a mobile phone was something you talked into. Maybe the good ones offered SMS. That was it. A PDA could let you use a stunted calendar and an awkward spreadsheet, but had no communications ability, but to be fair the case study insists they have "wireless enabled" (but not necessarily cellphone) features. Since then, they have converged into what people call a smartphone such as the Palm Treo or O2 , and even most humble phones have data/internet facilities as standard. This made the answering mighty difficult, folks!]

Reason 1

The PDA would be designed to run programs such as FTP and a web browser, and be equipped to process data. A plain mobile phone would only have voice & SMS abilities.

Reason 2

The PDA would be designed for efficient data entry with a soft or hard QWERTY keyboard rather than the mobile phone's slow and painful multiple-keypressing that was required for digital keypads to enter alphanumeric data.

Reason 3

Modern (2007) PDAs also have mobile phone features, giving the convenience of voice and data communications. Oh, I don't know. I'm struggling here!

Remember - these are just my ideas. They are not official VCAA answers! Cheers. Mark Kelly