(Last modified Thu Apr 24 10:24 2008)

1. 8 pts total 4: What is the difference between verification and validation?  4: Is one more important than the other?  Why do we talk about both of them? 
2. 40 pts total (10 per ility) The software engineering world has changed since Boehm, Brown, and Lipow's list was made.  2 ea: Choose the four least relevant of their software qualities (least relevant at the present day), 6 ea: and give a convincing argument for why each one is less relevant 2 ea: than the other 19. 
3. 56 pts total (8 per pair) Compare and contrast the following pairs of ilities.  Cover these points: 
   • 2: How are they similar? 
   • 2: How are they different? 
   • 2: Do they (i) help each other, (ii) conflict with each other, or (iii) have no influence on each other? 
   • 2: If they help each other, describe an example system (one sentence) in which this occurs. 
   • If they conflict, describe two example systems (one sentence each), one displaying the first ility but not the second, and the second displaying the second ility but not the first. 
   • If they have no influence on each other, describe two example systems (one sentence each), one displaying the first ility and the second displaying the second ility. 

   The pairs:

   1. Boehm's MODIFIABILITY and PORTABILITY
   2. Boehm's HUMAN ENGINEERING and USABILITY
   3. Efficiency (Boehm's, Cavano's, or Blundell's) and modifiability (Boehm's or Blundell's).  State which definition of efficiency and of modifiability you have chosen to discuss. 
   4. Blundell's Correctness and Completeness
   5. Boehm's ACCESSIBILITY and Blundell's Adaptability
   6. Blundell's Auditability and Correctness
   7. Boehm's ACCURACY and Blundell's Availability
4. 22 pts total Argumentation
   1. 12 pts Identify the parts of this argument:

      “The relevant legal and constitutional provisions being what they are, all local taxpayers are normally entitled to vote at each town meeting (unless the taxpayer is a noncitizen, a minor, a felon, or a lunatic).  Hannah Smith is a local taxpayer, so presumably she is entitled to vote at tonight's town meeting.” 

      1. 2: The claim:
      2. 2: The ground(s):
      3. 2: The warrant:
      4. 2: The backing(s) for the warrant:
      5. 2: The qualifier:
      6. 2: The rebuttal(s):
   2. 10 pts + How would you strengthen this argument?  I see at least four possible assumptions that would strengthen it if they are true (assume they are!), plus a question to ask for further clarification that could lead to further strength. 
      1. 2: A clarifying question: 
      2. 2: A possible strengthening (if true) assumption:
      3. 2: A possible strengthening (if true) assumption:
      4. 2: A possible strengthening (if true) assumption:
      5. 2: A possible strengthening (if true) assumption:
      6. 2+ extra credit: ... (Any other things that would strengthen it)

Thomas A. Alspaugh
Assistant Professor, Informatics Dept.
School of Information and Computer Sciences