● List and describe the four primary functional components of a software
application? (10 points)
The four primary functional components of a software application are data
storage, data access logic, application logic and presentation logic.
● List and describe the three primary hardware components of a system? (10
points)
The three primary hardware components are the servers, clients, and networks.
● Distinguish between the two‐tier, three‐tier, and n‐tier client–server
architectures? (10 points)
In a two-tiered architecture the server is the one responsible for the data and
data access logic, while the client handles the application and presentation logic.
In a three-tiered form, the client handles the presentation logic, one server is for
application logic and another server handles the data storage and data access
logic. Finally, in an n-tiered client-server form, the client handles the presentation
logic, one or more servers handle the application logic, and one or more servers
handle the data storage and data access logic.
● Compare and contrast the server‐based and client–server architectures.
(10 points)
In a server-based architecture the server does all four major application
functions, whereas in a client-server architecture the server only handles the data
access and data storage logic, while clients handle the presentation logic and the
application logic is either handled by the client, the server, or a mix of both.
● What is meant by the term scalable? What is its importance in architecture
selection? (10 points)
Scalability is the ability to increase or decrease the processing capacity and
storage with relative ease. It is important because
● What is the purpose of creating a logical process model and then a
physical process model? (10 points)
In the analysis phase, the logical process models are used to show the
processes and data flows that are needed to fit the requirements of the new
system.Physical process models include the mentioned information in terms of
technology used, format of the information moving through the processes, and
the human interaction involved.
● What information is found on the physical DFD that is not included on the
logical DFD? (10 points)
The physical DFD includes all elements of the logical DFD in addition to
implementation references for data stores, processes, data flows,
human-machine boundaries, and any additional system-related data stores,
processes.
● Why is using a top‐down modular approach useful in program design? (10
points)
Using a top-down modular approach suits better because with a top-down
approach the program’s design is specific very broadly, and more details are then
added to show how the components of the program will work together. This will
ensure that the programs will all work effectively together and that everything
performs the way it's supposed to.
● Distinguish between a control module, subordinate module, and library
module on a structure chart. Can a particular module be all three? Why or
why not? (10 points)
A control module holds the logic for performing other modules that are
subordinate to it. A subordinate module is underneath (or subordinate to, hence
the name) another higher module. A library module is a module that performs
several different tasks in different parts of the system. While it's possible for a
control module to be subordinate to another higher-level module, it's less likely
that this module would be a library module since library modules for performing a
repeated task rather than control other modules.
● What is the difference between a transaction structure and a transform
structure? Can a module be a part of both types of structures? Why or why
not? (10 points)
A transaction structure contains a control module that calls subordinate modules
which each performs a specific transaction. These subordinate modules are
usually mutually exclusive, meaning they will not all be called at the same time.
This is opposed to a transform structure, which calls several subordinate
modules in sequence until a task is completed, and these modules work together
to complete their goal. It is unlikely that a module can be part of both structures,
since transaction structures are usually at the upper part of a structure chart,
while a transform structure is usually at the lower end.