7 THE SYSTEMS LIFE CYCLE

Exam-style questions
1 For each of these questions, choose the correct response from the five options
given. [10]
a What validation type would make sure a post code, such as LA21 4NN,
was entered in the correct layout?
a Length check
b Presence check
c Range check
d Format check
e Type check

b What validation type would you use to make sure a number entered was > 0
but not > 100?
a Length check
b Presence check
c Range check
d Format check
e Type check

c What validation type checks that a field in an online form is not left
empty?
a Length check
b Presence check
c Range check
d Format check
e Type check

d What validation type checks that the correct number of characters has
been entered?
a Length check
b Presence check
c Range check
d Format check
e Type check

e Data is to be entered in the format DDMMYY. Which of the following is

NOT a valid date?
a 230421
b 010120
c 30th May 2024
d 050505
e 121221

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Exam-style questions

f Which of the following statements is FALSE?

a Validation can check that data entered is sensible
b Validation can check a value lies between an upper and lower bound
c Validation can check that a field in an online form is not left blank
d Validation is an automatic check done by a computer
e Validation can check that the data entered is correct

g Temperatures (which must be in the range 20 to 80 inclusive) are being

input into a computer. Test data is being used to make sure the validation
checks work. Which of the following are examples of extreme data?
a 0 and 100
b 19 and 81
c 20 and 80
d 21 and 81
e −1 and 85

h What is the name given to data which is outside the limits of acceptability?
a Normal
b Live
c Extreme
d Abnormal
e Erroneous

i Which of the following is NOT a valid method of implementing a new

computer system?
a Serial changeover
b Direct changeover
c Parallel running
d Pilot implementation
e Phased implementation

j Which of the following data-gathering methods suffers from the Hawthorne

effect?
a Examining existing documents
b Interviewing customers who use the system
c Interviewing staff who use the system
d Observing workers doing the tasks
e Filling in questionnaires

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7 THE SYSTEMS LIFE CYCLE

2 Carlos is designing a new computer system to replace an existing system.

a Tick four items which will need to be designed. [4]
Tick (✓)
Inputs to the current system.
Data capture forms.
Report layouts.
Limitations of the system.
Observation methods.
Improvements to the system.
User and information requirements.
Validation routines.
Problems with the current system.
File structures.

b Before the system is implemented it needs to be tested. Different

types of test data are used to test the system. An example of test
data is live data.
Describe what is meant by live data. [2]
c Following the implementation of the system, technical documentation
needs to be written.
Identify three components of technical documentation which are
not found in user documentation. [3]
Cambridge IGCSE Information and Communication Technology (0417) Paper 11 Q10,
May/June 2018
3 A farmer has purchased a computerised milking system for her cows. She has
asked a systems analyst to create a database to store details of the cows
being milked. Examples of the details of the cows which will be stored are:
Average_milk_ Animal_passport_
Breed_of_cow Date_of_birth Weight_of_cow
yield number
Holstein 25/02/2017 725.9 24.5 998/2017

Ayrshire 15/03/2016 715.0 20.1 972/2016

Jersey 25/02/2017 732.7 25.0 971/2016

Holstein 10/10/2016 715.0 25.0 765/2016

a Complete the following table by entering the most appropriate data

type for each field. For any numeric field, specify the type of number. [5]
Field name Data type
Breed_of_cow
Date_of_birth
Weight_of_cow
Average_milk_yield
Animal_passport_number

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Exam-style questions

b State which field would be the most appropriate for the primary key. [1]
c A validation check is used when entering the animal passport number
into the database.
Name and describe the most appropriate validation check that could be
applied to this field. [2]
Cambridge IGCSE Information and Communication Technology (0417) Paper 11 Q9 a, b & c,
May/June 2018
4 In the table below, by using a tick ( ) indicate whether each component
is found in user documentation only, in technical documentation only or
in both types of documentation. [5]
Technical User
Description of component documentation documentation
( ) ( )
How to sort the data
Hardware requirements
How to load and run the software
Program flowcharts/algorithms
Troubleshooting guide/FAQs
Validation rules/routines
Purpose of the system
Program listing/coding
Glossary of terms
Meaning of error messages

5 Put the following six stages of the systems life cycle into their correct order:
» Analysis
» Design
» Development and Testing
» Documentation
» Evaluation
» Implementation [3]
6 Which five computer terms are being described below? [5]
a A changeover method where the old system is stopped overnight and
the new system is introduced straight away.
b A changeover method where the new system is introduced into one
branch of a company and its performance assessed before being
introduced in all the company’s branches.
c Type of validation that checks whether or not the correct number of
characters has been entered.
d Part of the system life cycle that considers data capture forms, file
structures, validation and screen layouts.
e Software development technique where the program is broken down
into smaller parts and each part is tested separately.

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7 THE SYSTEMS LIFE CYCLE

To do some evaluation and carry out any maintenance

7 a Describe what is meant by the evaluation stage in the systems life cycle. [3]if necessary. Observe and evaluate how well the new
b Give two reasons why hardware may need to be updated ten years after system has worked.

its initial introduction. [2]

1. The existing computer equipment is now obsolete
2. More suitable hardware is now available to
c Give two reasons why software may need to be updated ten years after improve efficiency and reliability.
its initial introduction. [2]
8 A program is being written which only accepts numbers in the range 1 to
100 (inclusively) to be input. Validation routines are being used to check the
input data.
a Name two validation routines which could be used to check the input
data in this program. Give a reason for your choice in each case. [2]
b Test data can be normal, abnormal or extreme. Explain the differences
in these three types of test data. Use examples to illustrate your
answer. [3]
c For this program being written, indicate, by ticking the appropriate
box, whether the following input data is normal, abnormal or
extreme. [3]
Normal Abnormal Extreme
( ) ( ) ( )
52
1
104
100
twenty-five
99

d Explain what is meant by live data.

Describe how live data is used. [3]
9 An electric power company introduced computer monitoring and control
systems in the year 2000. A project management team has brought in a
systems analyst with a view to introducing a new system or upgrading
their existing system.
The power company supplies the national grid with electricity and
cannot go offline for more than a maximum of eight hours.
a Give three reasons why the project management team have decided
to renew or upgrade their system. [3]
b Suggest two methods a systems analyst might use to research
the current system. Justify your choice of methods. [4]
c Describe the best method of implementing a new system into
the company. Justify your choice of method. [3]

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Exam-style questions

10 Six descriptions are given on the left and ten computer terms are given
on the right. By drawing arrows, connect each description to its
correct term. [6]
Designed to help programmers/analysts User documentation
to make improvements to the system or
repair/maintain the system
Live data

This checks to see if the data entered is of

Extreme data
the correct type (i.e. letter or number only)

Direct changeover
Actual data used which has known
outcomes
Type check

Technical
Part of a new system is introduced and,
documentation
only when it proves to work satisfactorily,
is the next part introduced, and so on, until
the old system is fully replaced
Abnormal data

This is data which is at the limits of Format check

acceptability or validity

Phased
implementation
This is data which is outside the limits
of acceptability or validity and should be
rejected or cause an error message Evaluation stage

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