Maintenance

Process Term

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Definition

Maintenance Y11 Programming Fundamentals Process

Changes made after release to keep software working and useful: corrective (fix errors), adaptive (new environment) and perfective (improve or add features).

Example: A patch to fix a crash is corrective maintenance.

Found in: syllabus, school notes, past SDD papers.

Maintenance Y12 SE Project Term

Updating the software after release to fix errors, add features or adapt to change.

Example: Release a patch for a security bug.

Found in: syllabus, school notes, past SDD papers.

Where you'll use it in the test

Syllabus area: Y11 Programming Fundamentals Y12 SE Project.

Question types it can appear in

Multiple choice: Pick the option that matches the definition or example.
Matching or table: Match each type of maintenance to an example
Short answer: Define, outline or explain it and tie it to the scenario.

Where it has appeared in the paper

The Software Engineering Project (Part D). Part letters follow each paper’s own layout.

How to use it

A model sentence

General advice, built from the definition and example above

“Changes made after release to keep software working and useful: corrective (fix errors), adaptive (new environment) and perfective (improve or add features).” Then apply it: A patch to fix a crash is corrective maintenance.

In a short answer, give the definition in your own words first, then tie it to the situation in the question. Do not copy the example above unless it fits the scenario.

Command words used with it

From the linked past questions

Explain: Relate cause and effect; make the relationship between things evident; provide why and/or how. (2022 Software Design and Development HSC Q22 (6 marks): Maintenance)

Go deeper

Flashcard: Maintenance in Programming Fundamentals (Year 11) · study that set
Flashcard: Maintenance in The Software Engineering Project (Year 12) · study that set
Memorise: Software development steps and algorithm design
Memorise: Define and analyse the requirements of a problem
Full term page: every question, note and marking comment for Maintenance

Check yourself

Say the steps or stages of “Maintenance” in order.

Reveal the answer

Maintenance: Changes made after release to keep software working and useful: corrective (fix errors), adaptive (new environment) and perfective (improve or add features).