Assignment title: Information
ITECH7410
Software Engineering Methodologies
Assignment 1 Individual Roots of Polynomials - Quadratic
Overview
This assignment requires you to analyse a problem and to design a solution (without any
programming), which the user interacts with, via a GUI. The tasks required of your program
will require you to demonstrate your understanding of the concepts covered in Weeks 1-3 of
the course setting the foundations and a brief introduction to the course.
Timelines and Expectations
Percentage Value of Task: 20%
Due: Thursday, April 27, 2017 - 16:00 (Week 6)
Minimum time expectation: 10 hours
Learning Outcomes Assessed
S1. Critically analyse and use complex decision making to research and determine the
appropriate Software Engineering tools and methodologies to utilize in a given situation.
S2. Apply professional communication skills to support and manage the engineering of a
large software system.
S3. Review, critically analyse and develop artefacts to define processes for quality
assurance, risk management and communication in large software development projects.
S4. Implement quality assurance activities in order to verify user requirements and validate
design decisions.
A1. Analysis of a large system development problem to decide upon the best
methodological approach.
Assessment Details
The application of quadratic equations is boundless; examples that spring to mind are parabolic
paths of projectile motion, velocity in a gravitational field, optimization of profit/loss, and the
golden ratio being just a few.
In this task you are required to design a user interface for the solution of quadratic equations. The
quadratic solutions should be clearly shown as well as proof that they do solve the quadratic
equation. Feedback should be given to the user if invalid data is entered.
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D ITECH7410 Assig 1 Sem 1 2017 Page 2 of 5
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Analysis
The following analyses should be completed at the commencement of this project:
User Analysis – who will be using the system?
Display Content Analysis – what needs to be displayed?
Work Environment Analysis – what is the platform/environment/architecture?
Interface Design Steps – what are the interface objects and actions?
refer to Pressman’s chapters on Interface Design as well as Hix and Hartson.
After these analyses have been completed, you should decide on the software tools which you
will use. Justify these in your report.
For example, for the graphics you might choose from: Microsoft Word (using the SmartArt,
Shapes, Pictures features), Microsoft Paint, Microsoft Powerpoint, GIMP (www.gimp.org), Adobe
Acrobat, Enterprise Architect (EA), Inkscape (www.inkscape.org), Photoshop, Paint.net or
possibly from Web Tools such as Dreamweaver. Justify your choices in your report.
You will need to model the application; you may choose any model discussed in lectures such as
DFD, FSM, SASD, ERD, CSPEC and justify your choice of model or combination of models.
Demonstrate the usefulness of your modelling.
You will need to provide a State Chart Diagram (State Transition Diagram) of your application as
well.
As there is no programming required in this assignment, you are encouraged - but not obliged -
to use Wolfram|Alpha (https://www.wolframalpha.com/) to solve your quadratic equations.
Wolfram|Alpha is a free-form input computational knowledge engine using natural language. For
example you could type “2 + 3” or “what is 2 + 3?” or “what is the sum of 2 + 3”.
Your GUI should appear to be solving the equations and you may use any relevant output
generated from Wolfram|Alpha in your GUI.