,INF3705 Assignment 1 (COMPLETE ANSWERS) 2025 -
DUE 6 May 2025; 100% TRUSTED Complete, trusted
solutions and explanations.
Question 1 [15]
What is the most important difference between generic software product
development and custom software development? What might this mean in
practice for users of generic software products?
Key Difference:
Generic software is developed for a broad market, aiming to
meet the needs of many users or organizations.
Custom software is developed for a specific client or
organization, tailored precisely to their unique requirements.
Explanation and Implications:
Aspect Generic Software Custom Software
Target audience Mass market (e.g., One specific user or
Microsoft Word, Zoom) organization
Requirements Based on common needs Based on detailed client-
across many users specific requirements
Flexibility Limited customization High customization to
exact needs
Cost Lower per user (due to Higher (development
economies of scale) costs not shared)
Development Longer initially but Faster for one
time reused across users deployment, but not
reusable
User support Generalized help Dedicated support and
, resources maintenance options
Updates and Driven by market trends Driven by client needs
evolution
Implications for Users of Generic Software:
1. Limited Fit for Unique Needs: Users may find that the software
doesn’t fully align with their workflows or industry-specific
requirements.
2. Workarounds Required: Users often adapt their processes to fit
the software, rather than the software adapting to them.
3. Dependency on Vendor Updates: New features or bug fixes are
rolled out on the vendor’s timeline, not based on an individual
user's needs.
4. Lower Cost and Easy Access: Generic software is often
affordable, well-tested, and readily available, benefiting especially
smaller organizations.
5. Scalability and Community: Broad user base leads to more
extensive documentation, community support, and plugin
ecosystems.
Conclusion (Summary Point for Marks):
The critical difference is who the software is built for—a wide
audience vs. a specific client. In practice, this means users of generic
software must adapt their needs to the product, which offers
affordability and scale but lacks the tailored precision of custom
solutions.
DUE 6 May 2025; 100% TRUSTED Complete, trusted
solutions and explanations.
Question 1 [15]
What is the most important difference between generic software product
development and custom software development? What might this mean in
practice for users of generic software products?
Key Difference:
Generic software is developed for a broad market, aiming to
meet the needs of many users or organizations.
Custom software is developed for a specific client or
organization, tailored precisely to their unique requirements.
Explanation and Implications:
Aspect Generic Software Custom Software
Target audience Mass market (e.g., One specific user or
Microsoft Word, Zoom) organization
Requirements Based on common needs Based on detailed client-
across many users specific requirements
Flexibility Limited customization High customization to
exact needs
Cost Lower per user (due to Higher (development
economies of scale) costs not shared)
Development Longer initially but Faster for one
time reused across users deployment, but not
reusable
User support Generalized help Dedicated support and
, resources maintenance options
Updates and Driven by market trends Driven by client needs
evolution
Implications for Users of Generic Software:
1. Limited Fit for Unique Needs: Users may find that the software
doesn’t fully align with their workflows or industry-specific
requirements.
2. Workarounds Required: Users often adapt their processes to fit
the software, rather than the software adapting to them.
3. Dependency on Vendor Updates: New features or bug fixes are
rolled out on the vendor’s timeline, not based on an individual
user's needs.
4. Lower Cost and Easy Access: Generic software is often
affordable, well-tested, and readily available, benefiting especially
smaller organizations.
5. Scalability and Community: Broad user base leads to more
extensive documentation, community support, and plugin
ecosystems.
Conclusion (Summary Point for Marks):
The critical difference is who the software is built for—a wide
audience vs. a specific client. In practice, this means users of generic
software must adapt their needs to the product, which offers
affordability and scale but lacks the tailored precision of custom
solutions.
