CHAPTER 14
CONSTRUCT, DELIVER, AND
MAINTAIN SYSTEMS PROJECTS
1. REVIEW QUESTIONS
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1. Prototypes are typically limited to user input screens and output reports. Actual
processing procedures are not included. The prototype may be discarded in those
2. CASE tools are used to define user requirements, create physical databases from
3. Upper CASE tools support the front-end design activities of analysis and design.
4. The central repository is a database of attributes, relations, and elements that
describe all the applications created under the CASE system. These items include:
5. Common program modules and procedures do not have to be repeatedly coded. For
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6. A data flow diagram uses a set of symbols to represent the processes, data sources,
data flows, decision conditions, and process sequences of a current or proposed
7. The elementary-level DFD is used to produce a structure diagram. The DFD is a
8. No, pseudocode is not programming language specific. The coding model in CASE
9. Source code is code that is written in any generation language other than first
generation, machine language, programming code. Source code uses constructs
meaningful to humans. This source code must be converted into machine code,
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10. The iceberg effect describes the often neglected cost of maintenance of a new
system. The development of a new system typically represents only about 10% of
the total costs. The remaining costs will be incurred maintaining and updating the
11. Reverse engineering extracts from the source code meaningful design specifications
that the maintenance programmer can use to understand the application logic.
12. The advantages of CASE are:
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13. An object in object-oriented design represents modules that contain rules, operations
and procedures for specific entities. These objects possess two characteristics. The
first characteristic is that it contains attributes. Attributes describe the objects. The
second characteristic is methods, which show actions that are performed on the
14. An object class is a logical grouping of individual objects that share the same
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15. Inheritance means that each object instance inherits the attributes and operations of
the class to which it belongs. An example would be a class hierarchy for payroll.
16. ERP systems are collections of object modules that users in diverse lines of
b. The emergence of industry-specific vendors who target their software to the
c. A growing demand from businesses that are too small to afford an in-house
d. The trend toward downsizing of organizational units and the resulting move
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18. Turnkey systems are completely finished and tested systems that are ready for
implementation. Backbone systems provide a basic system structure on which to
20. An RFP is document that provides a checklist of specific system
21. Although in-house programs are very time-consuming and expensive to
develop, in addition to requiring a lot of skilled systems personnel, many
advantageous aspects cause firms to develop in-house systems.
22. Data model, conceptual user views, database tables, output and input
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23. Data modeling is the task of formalizing the data requirements of the
24. Entities are represented as rectangles. Attributes are represented by
25. A primary key uniquely identifies each record in a table. A foreign key is
26. The data dictionary provides the formal definition of the enterprise’s data. It
30. The quality of paper is of importance if the input forms will be subjected to abuse
33. These instructions should be in active voice, since this voice is stronger and more
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34. Source documents provide a paper trail that is easy to follow back to the economic
event. Source documents are handy when direct input devices are inconvenient
(becoming less of a problem with laptop computers). Economies of scale may be
achieved by centralizing data collection of paper documents. Direct data input has
35. Pseudocode is a natural-language coding technique that is used to represent actions
taken and express the detailed logic in specific systems modules. The designer
36. Computer processing controls, database controls, manual controls over input to and
37. A design flaw in the processes is much more costly to fix than a programming error.
38. This is an independent group composed of programmers, analysts, users, and
internal auditors. This group is charged with uncovering errors in the system by
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39. Managing the system implementation, developing system software, testing the
40. The Gantt chart illustrates the current status of the project at a glance. The PERT
41. Third generation languages are run more efficiently than most 4th generation
languages due to the compilation process. Machine code is created by the compiler.
Most 4th generation languages still use interpreters, which interpret each line every
42. These are compromise languages intended to ease the transition from procedural to
43. Modular systems produce small programs that reflect the detailed design specified in
the structure diagram. Programming can be coded and tested independently which
44. The saved data is called a base case, which documents how the system performed
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45. Systems programmers, as well as systems designers, will need the documentation
themselves in order to debug the system and perform maintenance. Documentation
46. Document flowcharts of manual procedures are needed by the accountants and
auditors. These flowcharts describe the physical system by showing explicitly the
47. The old database must be analyzed to determine whether it should be transferred to
the new database; this is called validation. Once the conversion is complete, the