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1.2 Software and software development

4 dot points across 4 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

What different types of software exist, and how is an application built from source code into a running program?

The nature of applications generation, the role of utilities and the difference between systems and application software, and the types and uses of software including open source versus closed source and custom-written versus off-the-shelf.
An OCR H446 answer on applications generation and the types and uses of software: the role of utilities, the difference between systems and application software, and the trade-offs of open source versus closed source and custom-written versus off-the-shelf software.
13 min answer →

Which type of operating system suits a given device, and which development methodology suits a given project?

Types of operating system (distributed, embedded, multitasking, multiuser, real-time) and software development methodologies (waterfall, agile, extreme programming, spiral, rapid application development), with their merits and appropriate uses.
An OCR H446 answer on the types of operating system (distributed, embedded, multitasking, multiuser, real-time) and the software development methodologies (waterfall, agile, extreme programming, spiral, rapid application development), with their merits, drawbacks and appropriate uses.
13 min answer →

What distinguishes the main programming paradigms, and what are the core principles of object-oriented programming?

Programming paradigms (procedural, low-level / assembly and object-oriented), the need for and characteristics of different levels of programming language, and the core principles of object-oriented programming: classes, objects, methods, attributes, encapsulation, inheritance and polymorphism.
An OCR H446 answer on programming paradigms and language levels: procedural, low-level and object-oriented programming, the characteristics of high-level versus low-level languages, and the OOP principles of classes, objects, methods, attributes, encapsulation, inheritance and polymorphism.
14 min answer →

How is source code turned into something the processor can run, and what does each stage of compilation do?

The need for, and the characteristics of, translators (assemblers, compilers, interpreters), the stages of compilation (lexical analysis, syntax analysis, code generation, optimisation), and the role of linkers, loaders and libraries.
An OCR H446 answer on translators and compilation: the characteristics of assemblers, compilers and interpreters, when each is used, the four stages of compilation (lexical analysis, syntax analysis, code generation and optimisation), and the roles of linkers, loaders and libraries.
13 min answer →