Software Engineering Multiple Choice Questions

Software Engineering Multiple Choice Questions

In this article, we are going to discuss the most commonly asked multiple-choice questions related to Software Engineering.

The primary purpose of writing this article is to target competitive exams and interviews. Here, we will cover all the frequently asked Software Engineering questions with the correct choice of answer among various options.

1) What is the first step in the software development lifecycle?

System Design

Coding

System Testing

Preliminary Investigation and Analysis 

Answer: d) Preliminary Investigation and Analysis

Explanation: The first phase of the software development life cycle is the requirement analysis, in which the software engineer analyzes the software requirement based on the user's outlook.

2) What does the study of an existing system refer to?

Details of DFD

Feasibility Study

System Analysis

System Planning 

Answer: c) System Analysis

Explanation: The study of an existing system refers to system analysis.

3) Which of the following is involved in the system planning and designing phase of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)?

Sizing

Parallel run

Specification freeze

All of the above 

Answer: d) All of the above

Explanation: None.

4) What does RAD stand for?

Rapid Application Document

Rapid Application Development

Relative Application Development

None of the above 

Answer: b) Rapid Application Development

Explanation: RAD stands for Rapid Application Development is categorized as an agile development method, which is meant to accomplish a quick turnaround and high-end outcomes.

5) Which of the following prototypes does not associated with Prototyping Model?

Domain Prototype

Vertical Prototype

Horizontal Prototype

Diagonal Prototype 

Answer: d) Diagonal Prototype

Explanation: There is nothing as such called Diagonal Prototype; however, the rest other options do make sense.

6) The major drawback of RAD model is __________.

It requires highly skilled developers/designers.

It necessitates customer feedbacks.

It increases the component reusability.

Both (a) & (c) 

Answer: d) Both (a) & (c)

Explanation: The client may create an unrealistic product vision, which may result in a team over or under-develop functionality. Besides, it is not easy to hire highly specialized & skilled developers/designers.

7) Which of the following does not relate to Evolutionary Process Model?

Incremental Model

Concurrent Development Model

WINWIN Spiral Model

All of the above 

Answer: d) All of the above

Explanation: The evolutionary process model is designed for rapid software development, which starts from scratch with raw specifications and modifies as per the user requirement.

8) What is the major drawback of the Spiral Model?

Higher amount of risk analysis

Doesn't work well for smaller projects

Additional functionalities are added later on

Strong approval and documentation control 

Answer: b) Doesn't work well for smaller projects

Explanation: A spiral model is an incremental approach, which is formed as a combination of the waterfall model and prototyping model. The major drawbacks of the Spiral model are as follows:

Expensive

Doesn't work well for smaller projects

Risk analysis requires highly skilled experts.

9) Model selection is based on __________.

Requirements

Development team & users

Project type & associated risk

All of the above 

Answer: d) All of the above

Explanation: Model selection is based on requirements, a team of developers, users as well as the risk involved in developing a project.

10) Which of the following option is correct?

The prototyping model facilitates the reusability of components.

RAD Model facilitates reusability of components

Both RAD & Prototyping Model facilitates reusability of components

None 

Answer: c) Both RAD & Prototyping Model facilitates reusability of components

Explanation: None.

11) Which of the following models doesn't necessitate defining requirements at the earliest in the lifecycle?

RAD & Waterfall

Prototyping & Waterfall

Spiral & Prototyping

Spiral & RAD 

Answer: c) Spiral & Prototyping

Explanation: In the Prototyping model, the first phase is the requirement analysis phase, which involves Brainstorming, QFD, and FAST, whereas the Spiral model encompasses customer communication activities such as defining objectives.

12) When the user participation isn't involved, which of the following models will not result in the desired output?

Prototyping & Waterfall

Prototyping & RAD

Prototyping & Spiral

RAD & Spiral 

Answer: b) Prototyping & RAD

Explanation: The Prototyping model necessitates user participation as when a prototype is created or designed, whereas, in the case of RAD, user participation is required in all four phases.

13) Which of the following model will be preferred by a company that is planning to deploy an advanced version of the existing software in the market?

Spiral

Iterative Enhancement

RAD

Both (b) and (c) 

Answer: d) Both (b) and (c)

Explanation: None.

14) Arrange the following activities for making a software product by utilizing 4GT.

I. Design strategy

II. Transformation into product

III. Implementation

IV. Requirement gathering

4, 1, 3, 2

4, 3, 2, 1

1, 2, 3, 4

1, 4, 2, 3 

Answer: a) 4, 1, 3, 2

Explanation: The sequence of activities mentioned in option c represents the Fourth Generation Techniques(4GT) Model.

15) Which of the following is an example of Black Box and Functional Processing?

First Generation Language

Second Generation Language

Third Generation Language

Fourth Generation Language 

Answer: d) Fourth Generation Language

Explanation: Functional processing or testing is commonly known as black-box testing, where the existing contents are almost unknown, so anything could be demonstrated as a black box. Hence the functionality of a black box can be defined in terms of inputs and outputs.

16) __________ is identified as fourth generation language.

Unix shell

C++

COBOL

FORTRAN 

Answer: a) Unix shell

Explanation: Fourth-generation language is an advancement of third-generation programming language.

17) The productivity of a software engineer can be reduced by using a 4GT.

True

False 

Answer: b) False

Explanation: The fourth-generation programming languages are more programmer-friendly and helpful in augmenting the program's efficiency as it uses English words and phrases. It increases the programmer's productivity by enabling them to engage in the software development life cycle.

18) Which of the following is the main advantage of deploying a 4GT model for producing small-scale products, programs, and applications?

The productivity of software engineers is improved.

The time required for developing software is reduced.

CASE tools and code generators help the 4GT model by providing a credible solution to their problems.

None of the above. 

Answer: b) Time required for developing software is reduced.

Explanation: Since automated coding is done using CASE tools & code generators, proponents claim a dramatic reduction in software development time.

19) Which of the following model has a major downfall to a software development life cycle in terms of the coding phase?

4GT Model

Waterfall Model

RAD Model

Spiral Model 

Answer: a) 4GT Model

Explanation: Much more expertise is needed in the 4GT model for analyzing, designing, and testing activities as it eliminates the coding phase.

20) Which of the following falls under the category of software products?

Firmware, CAD

Embedded, CAM

Customized, Generic

CAD, Embedded 

Answer: c) Customized, Generic

Explanation: Customized and Generic are two kinds of software products.

21) Software maintenance costs are expensive in contrast to software development.

True

False 

Answer: a) True

Explanation: For systems with long life, software maintenance cost is higher than that of the software development cost.

22) Which of the following activities of the generic process framework delivers a feedback report?

Deployment

Planning

Modeling

Construction 

Answer: a) Deployment

Explanation: The deployment phase is the last phase of the software development life cycle in which the software product is delivered to its end-user, who further assesses its performance and revert back with the feedback if anything is required or missing as per the formulated evaluation.

23) Which of the following refers to internal software equality?

Scalability

Reusability

Reliability

Usability 

Answer: b) Reusability

Explanation: None.

24) RUP is abbreviated as __________, invented by a division of __________.

Rational Unified Process, IBM

Rational Unified Program, IBM

Rational Unified Process, Infosys

Rational Unified Program, Infosys 

Answer: a) Rational Unified Process, IBM

Explanation: None.

25) The RUP can be defined based on three main perspectives, i.e., static, dynamic & practice. What is the purpose of static perspective?

It recommends some good practices that be included while carrying out the process.

It displays all the enacted process activities.

It portrays the phases that the model has entered over a specific time.

All of the above. 

Answer: b) It displays all the enacted process activities.

Explanation: None.

26) Which one of the following activities is not recommended for software processes in software engineering?

Software Evolution

Software Verification

Software Testing & Validation

Software designing 

Answer: b) Software Verification

Explanation: Software verification is mainly considered for implementing and testing activities.

27) Arrange the following activities to form a general software engineering process model.

I. Manufacture

II. Maintain

III. Test

IV. Install

V. Design

VI. Specification

6, 5, 1, 3, 4, 2

1, 2, 4, 3, 6, 5

6, 1, 4, 2, 3, 5

1, 6, 5, 2, 3, 4 

Answer: a) 6, 5, 1, 3, 4, 2

Explanation: None.

28) The agile software development model is built based on __________.

Linear Development

Incremental Development

Iterative Development

Both Incremental and Iterative Development 

Answer: d) Both Incremental and Iterative Development

Explanation: In agile software development, the software is usually developed in increments with the customer specifying necessary requirements in each increment. Here the main aim of a developer is to meet customer satisfaction at the earliest by providing a valuable software product. It is known as iterative because it chooses to work on one particular increment and make the improvement in other iteration.

29) On what basis is plan-driven development different from that of the software development process?

Based on the iterations that occurred within the activities.

Based on the output, which is derived after negotiating in the software development process.

Based on the interleaved specification, design, testing, and implementation activities.

All of the above 

Answer: a) Based on the iterations that occurred within the activities.

Explanation: In software engineering, a plan-driven approach is based on several development stages that result in the output at each of these stages, which are already planned in advance.

30) Which of the following activities is not applicable to agile software development?

Producing only the essential work products.

Utilizing the strategy of incremental product delivery.

Abolishing the project planning and testing.

All of the above 

Answer: c) Abolishing the project planning and testing.

Explanation: Testing can never be avoided as it plays a significant role in the software development life cycle.

31) Which of the following framework activities are carried out in Adaptive Software Development (ASD)?

Assumption, Association, Learning

The investigation, Strategy, Coding

Requirements gathering, Adaptive cycle planning, Iterative development

All of the above 

Answer: a) Assumption, Association, Learning

Explanation: An Adaptive Software Development approach is an empirical process control model, which is based on observations. It continuously adjusts the design of the solution and the process involved to create the solution based on observation throughout the project.

32) The __________ model helps in representing the system's dynamic behavior.

Object Model

Context Model

Behavioral Model

Data Model 

Answer: c) Behavioral Model

Explanation: To represent the system's dynamic behavior, Behavioral models are used. The behavioral model is modeled from the perspective of the system's processed data or the events that stimulate responses from a system.

33) Model-driven engineering is nothing but a theoretical concept. It can never be transmuted into a working/executable code.

True

False 

Answer: b) False

Explanation: Model-driven engineering is a software development approach that represents the system as a set model, which can be easily altered into an executable code.

34) The __________ and __________ are the two major dimensions encompassed in the Spiral model.

Diagonal, Perpendicular

Perpendicular, Radial

Angular, diagonal

Radial, Angular 

Answer: d) Radial, Angular

Explanation: The cumulative cost is represented by the radial dimension, whereas the angular dimension represents the progress made in the completion of each consecutive cycle. Each loop in the spiral model depicts the phase.

35) Which of the following technique is involved in certifying the sustained development of legacy systems?

Reengineering

Forward engineering

Reverse engineering

Reverse engineering and Reengineering 

Answer: d) Reverse engineering and Reengineering

Explanation: The process involved in certifying the sustained development of legacy systems relies on Reverse engineering and Reengineering.

36) An erroneous system state that results in an unexpected system behavior is acknowledged as?

System failure

Human error or mistake

System error

System fault 

Answer: c) System error

Explanation: None.

37) What is the name of the approach that follows step-by-step instructions for solving a problem?

An Algorithm

A Plan

A List

Sequential Structure 

Answer: a) An Algorithm

Explanation: An algorithm is a precise step-by-step technique that takes an input instance (of the given problem) as input(s) and produces output for the problem instance.

38) Which of the following word correctly summarized the importance of software design?

Quality

Complexity

Efficiency

Accuracy 

Answer: a) Quality

Explanation: The quality of a functional software functional depicts how well it can conform with or adapts to a given design based on functional requirements or specifications.

39) Which of the following methodology results in SA/SD features?

Gane and Sarson methodology

DeMarco and Yourdon methodology

Constantine and Yourdon methodology

All of the above 

Answer: d) All of the above

Explanation: None.

40) __________ is not considered as an activity of Structured Analysis (SA).

Transformation of a textual problem description into a graphic model

Functional decomposition

All the functions represented in the DFD are mapped to a module structure

d) All of the mentioned 

Answer: c) All the functions represented in the DFD are mapped to a module structure

Explanation: The module structure depicts the architecture of the software.

41) What does a directed arc or line signify?

Data Flow

Data Process

Data Stores

None of the above 

Answer: a) Data Flow

Explanation: In the business information system, the data flow diagram is used to epitomize the flow of the data.

42) What does a data store symbol in the Data Flow Diagram signify?

Logical File

Physical File

Data Structure

All of the above 

Answer: d) All of the above

Explanation: A logical file can be a data structure or physical file on the disk or vice versa.

43) __________ is not a direct measure of SE process.

Effort

Cost

Efficiency

All of the above 

Answer: c) Efficiency

Explanation: Efficiency can never be measured as it is an indirect measure of the SE process.

44) What is the main task of project indicators?

To evaluate the ongoing project's status and track possible risks.

To evaluate the ongoing project's status.

To track potential risks.

None of the above 

Answer: a) To evaluate the ongoing project's status and track possible risks.

Explanation: None.

45) What is the main intent of project metrics?

For strategic purposes

To minimize the development schedule.

To evaluate the ongoing project's quality on a daily basis

To minimize the development schedule and evaluate the ongoing project's quality on a daily basis 

Answer: d) To minimize the development schedule and evaluate the ongoing project's quality on a daily basis

Explanation: A project metric refers to a quantifiable measure of the degree to which a system, component, or process owns a certain trait.

46) Name the graphical practice that depicts the meaningful changes that occurred in metrics data.

Function point analysis

Control Chart

DRE (Defect Removal Efficiency)

None of the above 

Answer: c) Control Chart

Explanation: A control chart is a method used to keep track of the variability of traits of interest.

47) Which parameters are essentially used while computing the software development cost?

Hardware and Software Costs

Effort Costs

Travel and Training Costs

All of the above 

Answer: d) All of the above

Explanation: Estimation cost works out on assessing the amount of effort required to complete each activity, followed by calculating the total cost of activities.

48) Which of the following is an incorrect activity for the configuration management of a software system?

Change management

System management

Internship management

Version management 

Answer: c) Internship management

Explanation: Configuration management policies and processes define how to record, and process proposed system changes, how to decide what system components to change, how to manage different versions of the system and its components, and how to distribute changes to customers.

49) The project planner examines the statement of scope and extracts all-important software functions, which is known as

Planning process

Decomposition

Association

All of the mentioned 

Answer: b) Decomposition

Explanation: None.

50) Which of the following Is not considered as an option for achieving reliable cost and effort estimation?

The ability to translate the size estimate into human effort, calendar time, and dollars

Use relatively simple decomposition techniques to generate project cost and effort estimates.

Base estimates on similar projects that have already been completed

Use one or more empirical models for software cost and effort estimation 

Answer: a) The ability to translate the size estimate into human effort, calendar time, and dollars

Explanation: None.

51) Which of the following does not complement the decomposition techniques but offers a potential estimation approach for their impersonal growth?

Empirical estimation models

Decomposition techniques

Automated estimation tools

Both empirical estimation models and automated estimation tools 

Answer: a) Empirical estimation models

Explanation: In computer software, the estimation model uses empirically derived formulas for guessing the effort as a function of LOC or FP.

52) Which of the following is not included in the total effort cost?

Costs of lunch time food

Costs of support staff

Costs of networking and communications

Costs of air conditioning and lighting in the office space 

Answer: a) Costs of lunch time food

Explanation: Employees incur it in the office.

53) What is developed by utilizing the historical cost function?

Parkinson's Law

Expert judgment

Algorithmic cost modeling

Estimation by analogy 

Answer: c) Algorithmic cost modeling

Explanation: The algorithmic cost modeling utilizes the basic regression formula with such parameters that have been derived from the data of a historical project and current as well as characteristics of a future project.

54) Which of the following model has a misconception that systems are built by utilizing reusable components, scripts, and database programs?

The reuse model

An early designed model

An application-composition model

A post architecture model 

Answer: c) An application-composition model

Explanation: An application-composition model evaluates the development of a prototype.

55) Which of the following is used to predict the effort as a function of LOC or FP?

COCOMO

FP-based estimation

Both COCOMO and FP-based estimation

Process-based estimation 

Answer: c) Both COCOMO and FP-based estimation

Explanation: Both COCOMO and FP-based estimation is used to calculate the effort by utilizing the empirically derived formulas.

56) Once the requirements are stabilized, the basic architecture of the software can be established. Which of the following version of the COCOMO model conforms to the given statement?

Application composition model

Post-architecture-stage model

Early design stage model

All of the above 

Answer: a) Application composition model

Explanation: None.

57) Which of the following threatens the quality and timeliness of the produced software?

Business risks

Potential risks

Technical risks

Known risks 

Answer: c) Technical risks

Explanation: Technical risks detect the possible design, enactment, interface, authentication, and preservation problems.

58) Which of the following refers to the systematic attempt, which is implemented to ascertain the threats to any project plan?

Performance risk

Risk identification

Risk projection

Support risk 

Answer: c) Risk projection

Explanation: Once the risks are identified, the project manager takes his first step to avoid them when required and control them.

59) Which of the following standards is used by the aviation industry?

CTRADO-172B

RTCADO-178B

RTRADO-178B

CTCADO-178B 

Answer: b) RTCADO-178B

Explanation: RTCADO-178B is the most popular aviation standard, which has been altered to a defacto standard.

60) Third-Party Certification for software standards is based on __________.

Ul 1996, Second Edition

Ul 1998, Second Edition

Ul 1992, Second Edition

UT 1998, Second Edition 

Answer: b) Ul 1998, Second Edition

Explanation: None.