Deck 2: The Sources of Software

Question 1

Cloud computing is slower in allowing a user access to internal applications.

Answer 1

False
Explanation: Cloud computing enables a user to have instant access to applications.

Question 2

Cloud computing always complies with government regulations.

Answer 2

False
Explanation: One of the concerns that IT managers have about cloud computing is compliance with government regulations such as Sarbanes-Oxley.

Question 3

If a company purchases application software, it does not necessarily need to conduct systems analysis.

Answer 3

False
Explanation: Purchasing application software is not a substitute for conducting the systems analysis phase.

Question 4

Information technology services firms do not use the same methodologies, techniques, and tools that companies use to develop systems in-house.

Question 5

A company may consider outsourcing if it feels that its core mission does not involve managing an information systems unit and that it might achieve more effective computing by turning over all of its operations to a more experienced, computer-oriented company.

Question 6

One of the primary benefits of using an enterprise resource planning system is the short time period required for implementation.

Question 7

When choosing off-the-shelf software, the two most important criteria are functionality and ease of installation.

Question 8

The source code itself is not freely available for open-source software.

Question 9

Cloud computing is best when a supported task is generic and one does not need instant access.

Question 10

Open-source software is developed by employees of a particular company.

Question 11

Despite all the alternative sources of software, in-house development is still an option.

Question 12

Outsourcing can include having a firm develop and run another firm's application on its computers.

Question 13

Open-source software is best used when cost is an issue.

Question 14

In enterprise solutions, the difference between the modules and traditional approaches is that the modules are integrated to focus on the business functional areas, rather than on business processes.

Question 15

When resources and staff are available and a system must be built from scratch, the best option would be to go with a packaged software producer to obtain the software.

Question 16

Cloud computing is a low-cost access method to corporate-quality data.

Question 17

By 2015, it is predicted that the total global market for cloud computing will reach $1.1 trillion.

Question 18

Ease of installation is a measure of the difficulty of loading the software and making it operational.

Question 19

Purchased software cannot be modified.

Question 20

For many organizations, the most cost-effective way to manage payroll operations is through in-house development.

Question 21

The benefits of reuse grow as more corporate experience is gained from it.

Question 22

Research has found that reuse of object class libraries resulted in decreased productivity.

Question 23

In many instances, off-the-shelf software can meet up to ________ percent of an organization's needs.

A) 50
B) 60
C) 70
D) 90
E) 100

Question 24

The provision of computing resources over the Internet so that customers do not need to invest in infrastructure is called:

A) cloud computing.
B) raindrop computing.
C) leased computing.
D) centralized computing.
E) backbone computing.

Question 25

All of the following are benefits of enterprise solutions, EXCEPT:

A) a single repository of data for all business processes.
B) module flexibility.
C) immediate integration of new modules.
D) shifting toward enterprise solutions means changing business processes.
E) shifting from separate systems to a seamless, integrated system.

Question 26

All of the following are reasons to go with cloud computing EXCEPT:

A) freeing internal IT staff.
B) gaining access to applications faster.
C) reduced development time.
D) achieving lower cost access to corporate-quality applications.
E) access to large and complex applications without having to implement the system in-house.

Question 27

Rework can be reduced by reusing object class libraries.

Question 28

The reuse of object class libraries has been found to reduce defect density.

Question 29

A system that integrates individual traditional business functions into a series of modules so that a single transaction occurs seamlessly within a single information system rather than several separate systems best describes:

A) enterprise resource planning (ERP).
B) application service.
C) storage area network.
D) packaged software.
E) system integration software.

Question 30

Storage refers to making software assets available for others to use.

Question 31

The practice of turning over responsibility of some or all of an organization's information systems applications and operations to an outside firm is referred to as:

A) realignment.
B) downsizing.
C) outsourcing.
D) time sharing.
E) system reassignment and deployment.

Question 32

The primary concern about cloud computing is:

A) cost.
B) reliability.
C) compliance with standards.
D) dependability.
E) sustainability.

Question 33

Due to the low cost of developing a reusable component, most organizations can compete economically with established commercial organizations that focus on selling components as their main line of business.

Question 34

Component-based development's focus is on creating specific pieces of software that can only be used once.

Question 35

As more corporate experience is gained from reuse, costs and the amount of resources necessary for reuse to work will increase also.

Question 36

Because existing pieces of software have already been tested, reusing them tends to result in higher-quality software with lower defect rates, decreasing maintenance costs.

Question 37

When developing information systems, an organization could use all of the following EXCEPT:

A) an information technology services firm.
B) open-source software.
C) cloud computing.
D) in-house development.
E) hardware maintenance firms.

Question 38

One type of cloud computing service that allows companies to order server capacity and storage on demand is called:

A) software as a service.
B) leased computing.
C) hardware as a service.
D) storage on demand.
E) middleware as a service.

Question 39

Strategic business goals of the organization must be matched to the organizations approach to off-the-shelf software.

Question 40

Packaged software producers create software such as:

A) R/3.
B) Excel.
C) Linux.
D) Firefox.

Question 41

In addition to operating systems, e-mail, databases and Web browsers, open source software also includes:

A) hardware.
B) machine code.
C) software components and objects.
D) firmware.
E) proprietary software.

Question 42

One possible source of software which involves in-house development with purchased solutions is called a(n):

A) generic solution.
B) hybrid solution.
C) mid-point solution.
D) composite solution.
E) amalgamated solution.

Question 43

Two criteria that are always among the most important when choosing software are:

A) ease of installation and flexibility.
B) response time and vendor support.
C) vendor support and vendor viability.
D) cost and functionality.
E) functionality and documentation.

Question 44

In terms of criteria to consider when choosing off-the-shelf software, documentation refers to all of the following EXCEPT:

A) user's manuals.
B) technical documentation.
C) the cost for multiple copies.
D) the baseline project plan.
E) how understandable the documentation is.

Question 45

One type of cloud computing service that allows companies to run applications on servers maintained by a service provider is called:

A) software as a service.
B) leased computing.
C) hardware as a service.
D) storage on demand.
E) middleware as a service.

Question 46

All of the following are common criteria to consider when selecting off-the-shelf software EXCEPT:

A) flexibility.
B) vendor viability.
C) functionality.
D) cost.
E) needs of staff.

Question 47

Software that cannot be modified to meet the particular needs of an organization is called a(n):

A) Vanilla System.
B) ERP system.
C) Turnkey system.
D) Software as a Service System.
E) Turnbuckle System.

Question 48

In terms of criteria to consider when choosing off-the-shelf software, ease of customization is also referred to as:

A) response time.
B) documentation.
C) functionality.
D) flexibility.
E) development time

Question 49

Which of the following describes the internal staffing requirements when software components are acquired from packaged software producers?

A) Some internal staff are necessary, but mostly consultants are needed.
B) Some information systems (IS) and user staff to define requirements and evaluate packages are needed.
C) Internal staff may be needed, depending on the application.
D) Internal staff are necessary, though staff size may vary.
E) None of the above are correct.

Question 50

The use of previously written software resources is also referred to as:

A) reuse.
B) reengineering.
C) reprocessing.
D) re-analysis.
E) restructuring.

Question 51

Reusing software can:

A) increase the cost of software development.
B) decrease development time.
C) increase development time.
D) increase schedule overruns.
E) decrease programmer productivity.

Question 52

Open-source software is developed by:

A) in-house developers.
B) employees of a particular company.
C) communities of interested people.
D) consultants.
E) application service providers.

Question 53

Which of the following describes the internal staffing requirements when software components are acquired from enterprise-wide solutions providers?

A) Some internal staff are necessary, but mostly consultants are needed.
B) Some IS and user staff to define requirements and evaluate packages are needed.
C) Internal staff may be needed, depending on the application.
D) Internal staff are necessary, though staff size may vary.
E) None of the above are correct.

Question 54

An organization should acquire software from in-house developers when:

A) the supported task is generic.
B) complete systems that cross functional boundaries are needed.
C) the task requires custom support and the system cannot be built internally.
D) the resources and staff are available and the system must be built from scratch.
E) there is a pre-built option

Question 55

Reuse typically refers to using previously written:

A) objects and components.
B) use cases.
C) documentation.
D) business cases.
E) requests for proposals.

Question 56

The document sent to vendors asking them to propose hardware and software that will meet the requirements of your new system is called a:

A) requirements statement.
B) request for proposal (RFP).
C) baseline project plan.
D) business case.
E) systems service request.

Question 57

Money can be made from open source software by:

A) selling source code.
B) providing maintenance and other services.
C) communities of interested people.
D) adding to the code base.
E) selling documentation to the open-source community.

Question 58

Which of the following is NOT a result of reuse?

A) Higher-quality software
B) Lower defect rates
C) Decreased maintenance costs
D) Higher defect rates
E) Increased maintenance costs

Question 59

Which of the following is not a way of validating purchased software information?

A) Reviewing software documentation and technical marketing literature
B) Sending prospective vendors a questionnaire asking specific questions about their packages
C) Using the software yourself and running it through a series of tests based on the criteria for selecting software
D) Obtaining feedback from other users of the software
E) Purchasing the software first and then testing

Question 60

Which of the following are the basic steps in software reuse?

A) Abstraction, storage, and recontextualization
B) Overloading and overriding
C) Developing a business plan and an implementation plan
D) Contextualization and generalization
E) Purchasing new software and integrating it into existing systems

Question 61

Which of the following companies is the top software producer?

A) Microsoft
B) IBM
C) Apple
D) Hewlett-Packard
E) Oracle

Question 62

The relative cost of ad hoc reuse is:

A) low.
B) none.
C) moderate.
D) high.
E) extremely high.

Question 63

Open-source software has enjoyed its success due to:

A) the price.
B) large software companies.
C) the Internet.
D) the SDLC.
E) volume discounts.

Question 64

Which of the following is a disadvantage of Enterprise Resource Planning Systems?

A) The systems are too simple
B) Lack of in-house expertise
C) Always requires new hardware
D) Become outdated quickly
E) ERP systems are not secure

Question 65

The four approaches to reuse include all of the following EXCEPT:

A) ad hoc.
B) facilitated.
C) managed.
D) designed.
E) ex ante.

Question 66

When an organization encourages and supports use with limited resources, infrastructure, and policies to make reuse easier, they are said to be engaged in:

A) ad hoc reuse.
B) managed reuse.
C) ex ante reuse.
D) facilitated reuse.
E) designed reuse.

Question 67

When an organization invests in carefully designing assets for reuse, choosing assets for domain or product line, they are said to be engaged in:

A) ad hoc reuse.
B) facilitated reuse.
C) designed reuse.
D) managed reuse.
E) ex ante reuse.

Question 68

An enterprise solutions vendor is best used for:

A) ill-defined systems.
B) complete systems that cross functional boundaries.
C) tasks which require custom support.
D) applications that require instant access.
E) generic tasks where cost is not an issue.

Question 69

Technical issues related to reuse include all of the following EXCEPT:

A) the over-reliance on class libraries.
B) lack of a methodology for creating reusable components.
C) lack of a methodology for clearly defining reusable components.
D) the small number of reusable resources available.
E) the small number of reliable resources available.

Question 70

The best organization to go to when a supported task is generic is a(n):

A) open-source software provider.
B) cloud computing service provider.
C) in-house development group.
D) packaged software producer.
E) IT service firm.

Question 71

One major concern that IT managers have about cloud computing is:

A) security.
B) redundancy.
C) ease of use.
D) backward compatibility.
E) overuse.

Question 72

The first administrative information developed in the United States was:

A) Digital Equipment Company's VAX minicomputer.
B) a system developed by J. Lyons and Sons.
C) the General Electric payroll system.
D) the Internal Revenue Service's tax compliance system.
E) Amazon.com's inventory management system.

Question 73

The typical reuse level of designed reuse:

A) varies.
B) is low.
C) is moderate.
D) is high.
E) is none to low.

Question 74

By 2017 the outsourcing market is projected to be worth:

A) $1.2 million.
B) $178 billion.
C) $1.2 billion.
D) $178,000.
E) $9 million.

Question 75

When working with ERP systems, a ________ ensures more accurate and consistent data.

A) software vendor
B) depository
C) single repository
D) sentinel
E) data guardian

Question 76

With managed reuse, the development, sharing, and adoption of reusable assets is:

A) encouraged.
B) mandated.
C) discouraged.
D) minimal.
E) All of the above are correct.

Question 77

Open source software requires internal staff to:

A) write the software.
B) define requirements and evaluate software.
C) debug the software.
D) write more reports.
E) contribute to the code base.

Question 78

One reason that an organization would totally outsource its information systems is:

A) to ensure a quality system.
B) because of organizational problems.
C) to maintain more local control.
D) to avoid a hostile takeover.
E) to keep the organization running smoothly.

Question 79

A software solution involving both in-house and purchased software is called:

A) a mingled solution.
B) a hybrid solution.
C) an open-source solution.
D) a proprietary solution.
E) slackware.

Question 80

The typical reuse level of facilitated reuse:

A) varies.
B) is low.
C) is high.
D) is very high.
E) is moderate.