Question 1

_____ is(are) a written description of a computer program's functions.
A) Explanatory instructions
B) Documentation
C) Graphical user interface
D) Plug and play
E) README files

Accepted Answer

Documentation refers to written descriptions of a computer program's functions, which can include user manuals, technical manuals, and online help systems. Explanatory instructions, README files, graphical user interface, and plug and play may all provide supplementary information about the program, but they do not encompass the complete written documentation of a program's functions.

Question 2

Today, software comprises a larger percentage of the cost of modern computer systems than it did in the early 1950s. Which of the following reasons account(s) for this development?
A) Hardware costs have decreased.
B) Hardware performance has increased.
C) Software has become increasingly complex.
D) Building software applications remains slow, complex, and error-prone.
E) All of the above

Accepted Answer

All of the reasons listed have contributed to the increase in the percentage of software costs in modern computer systems. As hardware costs have decreased and performance has increased, the relative cost of software has increased. Additionally, as software has become more complex, building software applications remains slow, complex, and error-prone, which can drive up costs.

Question 3

The user interface is the most sophisticated on enterprise operating systems and the least sophisticated on desktop operating systems.

Accepted Answer

The statement is incorrect. The user interface can vary greatly depending on the specific operating system and version, and cannot be generalized as more or less sophisticated based solely on whether it's an enterprise or desktop system.

Question 4

Packaged application software addresses a specific or unique business need for a company.

Accepted Answer

Packaged application software is designed to address a specific business need or set of needs for a company. It is pre-built and generally requires minimal customization or development before it can be used. Examples of packaged software include customer relationship management (CRM) systems, accounting software, and inventory management software.

Question 5

Software is typically quite complex.

Accepted Answer

Software is a complex combination of code, data, and algorithms that work together to perform specific functions. It often requires multiple layers of programming languages, frameworks, and libraries, as well as thorough testing and debugging to ensure its reliability and functionality.

Question 6

Off-the-shelf application software consists of specific software programs developed for a particular company by a software vendor.

Accepted Answer

Off-the-shelf application software refers to software programs that are developed by a software vendor and sold to multiple companies or users, rather than being created specifically for one company.

Question 7

The overall trends in software include all of the following except:
A) Increased complexity.
B) Increased cost.
C) Increased number of defects.
D) Increased security.
E) Increasing percentage of the costs of modern computer systems.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The overall trends in software include all...

Question 8

Which of the following is not an overall trend in software?
A) Increased complexity
B) Increased cost
C) Increased number of errors
D) Increased amount of mainframe software written by users
E) Increasing percentage of the costs of information systems

Accepted Answer

The other options are all commonly observed trends in software, but the amount of mainframe software written by users is not necessarily a trend - it may vary depending on the specific company or industry.

Question 9

Which of the following is not a reason why software currently comprises a larger percentage of the cost of modern computer systems than it did in the early 1950s?
A) Hardware costs have increased.
B) Hardware performance has increased
C) Software has become increasingly complex.
D) Building software applications remains slow, complex, and error-prone.
E) None of the above

Accepted Answer

The question asks for a reason why software currently comprises a larger percentage of the cost of modern computer systems than it did in the early 1950s, but option A says that hardware costs have increased, which is not a reason for software to be a larger percentage of the cost. Therefore, option A is the correct answer.

Question 10

As hardware costs have decreased over the past 20 years, software costs have also decreased.

Accepted Answer

Software costs have not necessarily decreased, and in some cases, they have actually increased as more advanced and complex software is developed. Additionally, there are ongoing costs associated with software such as maintenance, updates, and licensing fees.

Question 11

Computer code is generally efficient, well designed, and contains very few errors.

Accepted Answer

While computer code strives to be efficient and well designed, it is not uncommon for code to contain errors, also known as bugs. Debugging and testing are important parts of the software development process to catch and fix these errors.

Question 12

Software consists of computer programs, which are sequences of instructions for the computer.

Accepted Answer

Software is indeed a collection of computer programs, which consist of detailed sequences of instructions that control and direct the computer's actions towards specific tasks.

Question 13

Open systems refers to a model of computer products - hardware, operating systems, and application software - that allow any computing device to be seamlessly connected to and interact with any other computing device.

Accepted Answer

Open systems allow for interoperability and communication between different devices and software.

Question 14

The operating system supervises the overall operation of the computer.

Accepted Answer

The operating system is responsible for managing and coordinating activities and sharing resources of the computer. It supervises and controls all other software and hardware components of the computer.

Question 15

Computer hardware and software are designed to be general purpose.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Computer hardware and software are designed to...

Question 16

Personal application software consists of widely used packages such as word processing, spreadsheet, communications, and graphics software.

Accepted Answer

Personal application software includes software packages like word processing, spreadsheet, communications, and graphics software, which are widely used.

Question 17

Application software cannot be run on computer hardware without systems software.

Accepted Answer

Application software relies on systems software (such as the operating system) to provide the necessary environment and resources for it to run on computer hardware. Without systems software, application software would not be able to function.

Question 18

Over the past 20 years, hardware costs have _____, while software costs have _____.
A) Increased, increased
B) Decreased, decreased
C) Decreased, increased
D) Increased, decreased
E) Increased, remained level

Accepted Answer

Hardware costs have decreased due to advancements in technology and increased efficiency in manufacturing, while software costs have increased due to the complexity and advanced functionality of modern software programs.

Question 19

The _____ complexity of software results in a _____ potential for errors.
A) Decreasing, decreasing
B) Decreasing, increasing
C) Increasing, decreasing
D) Increasing, level
E) Increasing, increasing

Accepted Answer

As software complexity increases, the potential for errors also increases due to more intricate interactions and dependencies within the code.

Question 20

Companies who develop software for sale license that software for use to protect their product from being copied and distributed illegally.

Accepted Answer

When a company licenses software, they grant permission for others to use it under certain conditions, while still retaining ownership and control over the product, including protection against illegal copying and distribution.

Quiz 15: Technology Guide 2 Software

_____ is(are) a written description of a computer program's functions.

Today, software comprises a larger percentage of the cost of modern computer systems than it did in the early 1950s. Which of the following reasons account(s) for this development?