← Software Systems Development syllabus

Northern IrelandSoftware Systems Development

A2 1 Systems Approaches and Database Concepts

6 dot points across 6 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

Which development methodologies are used to build systems, and how are feasibility and fact-finding carried out?

Development methodologies (waterfall, prototyping, rapid application development and agile), the feasibility study, and fact-finding techniques.
A CCEA A-Level Software Systems Development answer on development methodologies (waterfall, prototyping, rapid application development and agile), conducting a feasibility study, and fact-finding techniques such as interviews, questionnaires, observation and document analysis.
13 min answer →

How are entity relationship diagrams drawn, and how does normalisation to third normal form remove data anomalies?

Entity relationship modelling (entities, attributes, relationships and cardinality) and normalisation to first, second and third normal form.
A CCEA A-Level Software Systems Development answer on entity relationship modelling (entities, attributes, relationships and cardinality) and normalisation to first, second and third normal form to remove redundancy and anomalies.
14 min answer →

What is a relational database, and how do tables, keys and relationships keep data consistent?

Relational database concepts - tables, records and fields, primary and foreign keys, relationships, referential integrity, and the advantages over flat files.
A CCEA A-Level Software Systems Development answer on relational database concepts: tables, records and fields, primary and foreign keys, relationships, referential integrity, and the advantages of a relational database over flat files.
13 min answer →

How is SQL used to define a database and to query and update the data it holds?

Structured Query Language - data definition (CREATE TABLE) and data manipulation (SELECT with WHERE, ORDER BY, joins and aggregate functions, plus INSERT, UPDATE and DELETE).
A CCEA A-Level Software Systems Development answer on Structured Query Language: defining tables with CREATE TABLE, and querying and updating data with SELECT, WHERE, ORDER BY, joins, aggregate functions, INSERT, UPDATE and DELETE.
14 min answer →

How are data flow diagrams and UML diagrams used to model a system's processes, data and objects?

System modelling with data flow diagrams and UML diagrams (use case, class and activity), and the role of the data dictionary.
A CCEA A-Level Software Systems Development answer on system modelling: data flow diagrams showing processes and data stores, and UML diagrams (use case, class and activity), plus the data dictionary, and why models are used.
13 min answer →

What are the stages of the systems development lifecycle, and why is a structured approach to building systems used?

The stages of the systems development lifecycle - analysis, design, implementation, testing, installation and maintenance - and the purpose of a structured approach.
A CCEA A-Level Software Systems Development answer on the systems development lifecycle: the stages of analysis, design, implementation, testing, installation and maintenance, what happens in each, and why a structured approach is used.
12 min answer →