CSE 240 EXAM 1 PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH
DETAILED EXPLANATIONS 2026
◉ Software Engineering Benefits.
Answer: reliable, economical, efficient, feasible
increasing reliance => need trustworthy, fast systems
cheaper in long run to use SWE methods
most costs = changing sw after gone into use
Don't practice as students
◉ SW Project Failure.
Answer: Due to increasing system complexity
Larger, more complex systems -> demands change
Customer base requires quick solutions for larger and more complex
problems
New capabilities previously thought impossible
◉ Software Different?.
Answer: Developed/engineered rather than manufactured
Doesn't "wear out" given computer and supporting system
Moving toward component-based construction = "take off shelf" -
most sw is custom-built
,◉ "Good" SW.
Answer: Maintainability
Dependability
Efficiency
Acceptability
◉ Maintainability.
Answer: cost stems from here
◉ Dependability.
Answer: accurate and secure from unwanted changes
◉ Efficiency.
Answer: functional while minimizing CPU and mem use
◉ Acceptability.
Answer: meet customer specifications
◉ Common SW Activities.
Answer: SW Specification
SW Development
, SW Validation
SW Evolution
◉ SW Specification.
Answer: customers and engineers define sw to be produced +
constraints on operation
◉ SW Development.
Answer: sw is designed and programmed: coding + testing (mostly
at unit level)
◉ SW Validation.
Answer: sw is checked to ensure is acceptable
◉ SW Evolution.
Answer: sw modified to reflect customers' changing and market reqs
bug fixes, new system and functionalities
◉ SW Engineering Diversity: 2 Types of SW Systems.
Answer: Stand-alone
Interact w/ other systems
DETAILED EXPLANATIONS 2026
◉ Software Engineering Benefits.
Answer: reliable, economical, efficient, feasible
increasing reliance => need trustworthy, fast systems
cheaper in long run to use SWE methods
most costs = changing sw after gone into use
Don't practice as students
◉ SW Project Failure.
Answer: Due to increasing system complexity
Larger, more complex systems -> demands change
Customer base requires quick solutions for larger and more complex
problems
New capabilities previously thought impossible
◉ Software Different?.
Answer: Developed/engineered rather than manufactured
Doesn't "wear out" given computer and supporting system
Moving toward component-based construction = "take off shelf" -
most sw is custom-built
,◉ "Good" SW.
Answer: Maintainability
Dependability
Efficiency
Acceptability
◉ Maintainability.
Answer: cost stems from here
◉ Dependability.
Answer: accurate and secure from unwanted changes
◉ Efficiency.
Answer: functional while minimizing CPU and mem use
◉ Acceptability.
Answer: meet customer specifications
◉ Common SW Activities.
Answer: SW Specification
SW Development
, SW Validation
SW Evolution
◉ SW Specification.
Answer: customers and engineers define sw to be produced +
constraints on operation
◉ SW Development.
Answer: sw is designed and programmed: coding + testing (mostly
at unit level)
◉ SW Validation.
Answer: sw is checked to ensure is acceptable
◉ SW Evolution.
Answer: sw modified to reflect customers' changing and market reqs
bug fixes, new system and functionalities
◉ SW Engineering Diversity: 2 Types of SW Systems.
Answer: Stand-alone
Interact w/ other systems
