System Analysis And Design — Part 1 MCQs with Explanations

structure chart : This is the correct answer. In structured design, the primary tool used is a structure chart. A structure chart is a visual representation of the modules or components of a system and their relationships, showing the hierarchy and connections between them. data-flow diagram : While data-flow diagrams are important in structured design, the primary tool is the structure chart. program flowchart : Program flowcharts are used to represent the flow of control in a program but are not the primary tool in structured design. module : A module is a component of a system, and while important in structured design, the primary tool is the structure chart. Therefore, in the context of the question, the primary tool used in structured design is a structure chart (Option A).

Prototyping is a software development approach where a prototype or an initial version of the system is built, tested, and then refined as necessary until an acceptable prototype is achieved. 4GLs (Fourth Generation Languages) are often used in prototyping because they allow for faster development compared to third-generation languages like BASIC or COBOL. 4GLs provide higher-level programming constructs and tools that facilitate rapid development and iteration of prototypes. Using 4GLs , developers can quickly create and modify prototypes, enabling more effective communication with users and stakeholders to gather feedback and refine requirements. Therefore, in the context of prototyping, 4GLs are used .

A transposition error is a specific type of data entry mistake where two adjacent digits are reversed or interchanged. Transposition error occurs when, for example, the number 42 is entered as 24. This error is common during manual data entry and can lead to significant inaccuracies in data processing and analysis. In contrast, a transcription error refers to a broader range of data entry mistakes, such as mistyping a character or number. Transposition error is specifically about interchanging digits, making it the correct answer for this question.

The correct option is "response time". Elapsed time between initiating a query and receiving the response is defined as response time . It measures how quickly the system reacts to a user’s request and provides the output. Why not the others? "Waiting time" refers to the time a process spends in the ready queue before execution, not the query-response gap. "Processing time" is only the time taken by the CPU to process instructions, not including the full elapsed query-response duration. "Turnaround time" is the total time taken from submission of a process to its completion, which is broader than just query-response. "None of the above" is incorrect because "response time" exactly matches the definition. Therefore, the most accurate answer is "response time" .

The correct answer is (B) controlling . Let's break down why: System Study Overview: A system study involves a thorough examination of an existing system (or a proposed new one) to understand its strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. Now let's look at the options in the context of a system study and management's role: (A) planning: While planning is important, during the system *study* itself, the main activity isn't creating new plans. Planning happens more before and after the study. (B) controlling: Controlling, in this context, means ensuring that the system study is conducted properly, stays on track, meets its objectives, and aligns with the organization's goals. Managers oversee the process, monitor progress, and make adjustments if needed. They are making sure the study is yielding useful information. (C) directing: Directing involves telling people what to do. While managers provide some direction, during a study, their primary role is to *oversee* and *monitor* (control) the process, not micromanage every step. (D) organizing: Organizing, like planning, is something that happens *before* the system study really gets going. It involves setting up the team, resources, and structure for the study. (E) None of the above: This is incorrect because 'controlling' accurately describes the management role during the system study. Therefore, executive vice-presidents and other managers are exercising their responsibility of *controlling* the system study process to ensure it's effective and beneficial for the organization.

A modular approach is a desirable characteristic of good system design. Modular design involves dividing a system into smaller, manageable modules or components, each of which can be developed, tested, and maintained independently. This approach enhances the flexibility, scalability, and maintainability of the system, making it easier to troubleshoot, upgrade, and extend. Therefore, Good system design = Modular approach .

The correct option is "manual operation symbols". In a systems flowchart, the manual operation symbol is used to represent activities that are performed by a person rather than a machine or automated system. When input data is kept manually in an online system, it indicates human involvement in recording or handling the data. This is exactly represented by the manual operation symbol in flowcharting standards. Why not the others? "Online storage symbol" represents data stored in an online medium, not the manual act of keeping data. "Online keyboard symbol" is used for data entry through a terminal or keyboard, not for manual handling of records. "Keeping operation symbols" is not a recognized standard in system flowcharting. "None of the above" is incorrect because the correct symbol exists and is manual operation symbols . Therefore, the correct answer is manual operation symbols .

Option A: Input/Output This symbol, often represented as a parallelogram, is used in flowcharts to denote input or output operations where data is either received from or sent to the user or external sources. Option B: Process The process symbol, typically represented as a rectangle, is used to represent actions or operations performed in a sequence. Option C: Selection/repetition Symbols like the diamond shape are used to represent decision points where conditions are evaluated (selection) or loops where steps are repeated (repetition). Option D: Start/Stop Symbols like ovals or rounded rectangles are used to denote the beginning (start) and end (stop) points of a flowchart. Option E: None of the above This option is incorrect as the correct symbol for receiving information from the user in a flowchart is represented by the Input/Output symbol. Conclusion: Option A: Input/Output

Option A: Input This symbol in a flowchart is used to represent data or information entering into the system. It typically signifies where data is received from an external source or user input. Option B: Output The Output symbol in a flowchart denotes where data or information leaves the system. It represents the points where processed or calculated results are displayed or outputted. Option C: Process The Process symbol in a flowchart is used to represent a calculation or computational task. It signifies any action or operation performed on data, such as arithmetic calculations, data manipulation, or logical operations. Option D: Start The Start symbol is used to indicate the beginning point of a flowchart. It marks where the execution or flow of processes starts within the system or program. Option E: Stop The Stop symbol marks the endpoint of a flowchart. It represents where the execution of processes or tasks within the flowchart comes to an end. Conclusion: Among the given options, the symbol used in a flowchart to represent a calculation task is the Process symbol (Option C). This symbol is specifically designed to indicate any computational or processing tasks performed on data within the flowchart's sequence of operations. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is Option C: Process .

The correct option is "making sure that the new programs do in fact process certain transactions according to Specifications". Sequential or series testing is a type of software/system testing where the system is run step by step with specific sets of data to ensure that it behaves exactly as defined in the specifications. The purpose of this testing is to confirm that the new programs correctly process transactions in sequence and produce the expected results, validating accuracy and consistency. Why not the others? "Running the system with live data by the actual user" refers to acceptance testing, not sequential testing. "Checking the logic of one or more programs in the candidate system" refers to desk checking or program logic testing, not sequential testing. "Testing changes made in an existing or a new program" is regression testing, not sequential testing. "None of the above" is incorrect because Option B matches the definition of sequential or series testing. Therefore, the most accurate answer is Option B .

The correct answer is D: data-flow diagrams . Let's break down why a feasibility document *doesn't* usually include data-flow diagrams: * What is a feasibility document? It's a report that assesses whether a proposed project is possible, practical, and worthwhile to undertake. Think of it as a preliminary investigation. * What should be included in a feasibility document? A feasibility study outlines the project's purpose, problems it addresses, and identifies potential solutions. It also includes a high-level assessment of available technologies and resources, costs, benefits, and a recommended solution. * Why *not* data-flow diagrams (DFDs)? DFDs are used to graphically represent the flow of data within a system. They are typically used during the design phase of a project, *after* the feasibility has been established. The feasibility study happens early in the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC). A feasibility document aims to determine if a proposed project is worth pursuing. While it *might* mention the high-level data requirements, it doesn't go into the detailed data-flow mapping that DFDs provide. DFDs are a design tool. * Let's look at the other options: * A: project name: Essential for identifying the project. * B: problem descriptions: Clearly defines the issues the project aims to solve. * C: feasible alternative: Presents possible solution approaches. Therefore , a feasibility document should contain all of the listed elements except a data-flow diagram, which is a detailed design tool and is created after the project's feasibility is determined.

In database terminology, a record is a collection of related fields that are treated as a single unit of data. Each field within the record contains a piece of information, and together, they represent a complete set of information about an entity. For example, a record in a customer database might include fields for name , address , and phone number . Therefore, a group of related fields is referred to as a record .

The correct option is "System testing". Mistakes made in the requirements analysis stage are among the most critical, because if the requirements are wrong or incomplete, the system is built on a faulty foundation. These errors usually remain hidden during system design and system development , because the system is still being constructed according to the incorrect requirements. It is during system testing that these mistakes are discovered, since testing involves checking whether the developed system meets the original requirements. At this stage, mismatches between what was needed and what was built become visible. Why not the others? "System design" still follows the faulty requirements, so errors do not surface here. "System development" implements the design, so mistakes remain hidden until validation. "System implementation" is the stage of deployment and usage; errors from requirements would already have been revealed in testing before this point. "None of the above" is incorrect because the right answer is clearly system testing . Therefore, the correct answer is "System testing" .

All of the above is the correct answer to “System Study involves”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for System Analysis And Design.

Phased Conversion is the correct answer to “In a _____ one module of the new information system is activates at a time.”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for System Analysis And Design.

An algorithm is the correct answer to “The step-by-step instructions that solve a problem are called _____.”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for System Analysis And Design.

to identify a top level function an d then create a hierarchy of lower-level modules and components. is the correct answer to “The approach used in top-down analysis and design is”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for System Analysis And Design.

size of the company is the correct answer to “Which of the following is not a factor in the failure of the systems developments projects”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for System Analysis And Design.

pointer is the correct answer to “A Ring, refers to a record chain, the last of which refers to the first record, in the chain, is called a/an”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for System Analysis And Design.

Input is the correct answer to “A problem's _____ will answer the question, "What information will the computer need to know in order to either print or display the output times?"”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for System Analysis And Design.

Insurance, maintenance and other expenses are included in the rental charge is the correct answer to “Which of the following statements, is (are) not true for the lease option”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for System Analysis And Design.

maintenance and signal is the correct answer to “The two classifications of inputs are”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for System Analysis And Design.

at every stage is the correct answer to “Documentation is prepared”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for System Analysis And Design.

System check outs is the correct answer to “System Implementation Phase entails”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for System Analysis And Design.

documentation should be emphasized is the correct answer to “Which of the following is not true of the conversion phase of the development life cycle”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for System Analysis And Design.

describe information needs is the correct answer to “Managers who are potential users of the MIS”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for System Analysis And Design.

making sure that the new programs do in fact process certain transactions according to Specifications is the correct answer to “Positive testing is”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for System Analysis And Design.

describes how data are structured in the data base is the correct answer to “Data Definition Language (DDL)”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for System Analysis And Design.

All of the above is the correct answer to “In phase 1 of the system development life cycle, which of the following aspects are usually analyzed”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for System Analysis And Design.

None of the above is the correct answer to “During the maintenance phase”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for System Analysis And Design.

parallel is the correct answer to “To run the old system and the new system at the same time for a specified period, the system implementation approach used is”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for System Analysis And Design.

All of the above is the correct answer to “Decision tree uses”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for System Analysis And Design.

systems analysis phase is the correct answer to “Problem analysis is done during”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for System Analysis And Design.

an approach in which the top module is first tested then program modules are added from the highest level to the lowest level is the correct answer to “Top-down programming is”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for System Analysis And Design.

actions is the correct answer to “A decision table facilitates conditions to be related to”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for System Analysis And Design.

All of the above is the correct answer to “On the feasibility committee, department representatives serve as:”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for System Analysis And Design.

System Development Life Cycle is the correct answer to “A _____ is an outline of a process that keeps develop successful information systems”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for System Analysis And Design.

beta test data is the correct answer to “A branch office, location or other data processing centres, where a newly developed system is used under normal operating conditions for several months, to test it, is called”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for System Analysis And Design.

review is the correct answer to “An appraisal, of a system's performance after it has been installed, is called system”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for System Analysis And Design.

third generation language is the correct answer to “Which of the following is (are) not a tool for Application Prototyping”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for System Analysis And Design.