Past questions › sdd2021-q25
2021 11 marks Extended response Secure Software Architecture (Year 12) Social and ethical issues; The Software Engineering Project / Implementation and development approach
NESA 2021 HSC Software Design and Development (OLD syllabus) - Section II Question 25, with NESA Marking Guidelines
A mobile phone app is to be developed to allow two people speaking different languages to have a conversation. The app translates the speaker’s language into the language of the listener. (a) | Describe ONE social or ethical issue associated with this app. | 2 (b) | Outline an appropriate method of installation for this app. | 2 (c) | Justify an appropriate software development approach for this app. | 3 (d) | Describe ONE compatibility issue and ONE performance issue relevant to this | 4 app.
Marking criteria
[Question 25 (a)] Criteria | Marks • Describes ONE relevant social or ethical issue | 2 • Demonstrates a basic understanding of a social or ethical issue | 1 Criteria | Marks • Outlines an appropriate installation method relevant to this app | 2 • Identifies an installation method | 1 Criteria | Marks • Justifies an appropriate software development approach for this app | 3 • Describes a software development approach | 2 • Demonstrates a basic understanding of software development | 1 Criteria | Marks • Describes ONE performance issue and ONE compatibility issue relevant to this app • Outlines ONE performance issue and ONE compatibility issue relevant to this app • Outlines a performance or compatibility issue OR | 2 • Identifies performance and/or compatibility issues • Provides some relevant information | 1
Sample answer
Sample answer: Privacy As the conversations are transmitted and possibly stored for processing, concerns may arise regarding the security of private conversations.
[Question 25 (b)] Sample answer: Direct cutover: each individual gets the complete system as soon as they purchase the application.
[Question 25 (c)] Sample answer: Agile This approach enables the development of this application relatively quickly in a possibly competitive environment. The agile approach means the system can be offered initially with two or three languages and limited functionality, but with updates offered after a short period of time to progressively include more languages and more features in response to feedback.
[Question 25 (d)] Sample answer: Compatibility: The application must execute consistently between different mobile phones, operating systems and networks. This means that the system must be tested using a wide range of environments. Performance: Processing times must allow normal conversations to proceed without delays. Some language translations do not lend themselves to word for word conversions, meaning longer processing times are required. The application must load quickly to minimise frustration.