Question

What is the PRIMARY purpose of the prototyping approach to system development?

      a.   To determine the number of times the system will be used

      b.   To measure how much training is necessary for the users

      c.   To test and understand possible features of a proposed information system

      d.   To evaluate all the possible software to be used on the system

      e.   To make sure program algorithms are correct

Answer 1

The purpose of prototype is to develop a system whose requirements are unclear or changing requirements. A basic software model is built, tested and approved if it satisfies the customer's requirements.If customer is not satisfied another prototype is built for approval by customer. The process continues till perfect prototype is built and all the requirements are clear and well understood.

The most appropriate option is c.

a To determine the number of times the system will be used

Explanation : Clearly this option is false as prototype is not used to determine the times of the usage of system.

b. To measure how much training is necessary for the users

Explanation : This option is false as welk because prototype does not determine or provide any information about training for the user.

c. To test and understand possible features of a proposed information system

Explanation : This is the most correct option as During the requirements determination portion of the systems analysis phase, system analysts gather information about the organization's current procedures and business processes related the proposed information system. In addition, they study the current information system, if there is one, and conduct user interviews and collect documentation. This helps the analysts develop an initial set of system requirements.

d. To evaluate all the possible software to be used on the system

Explanation : As the prototype model is not a complete system.Prototyping is the activity of creating prototypes of software applications, i.e., incomplete versions of the software program being developed. It is an activity that can occur in software development. A prototype typically simulates only a few aspects of, and may be completely different from, the final product.Hence it cannot be used to evaluate all the possible software.

e. To make sure program algorithms are correct

Explanation : This is another possible correct answer for the question as prototype can be used to identify the errors in algorithm if any.

Possible reason to reject this option is : The prototype does not always hold the exact logic used in the actual software application and therefore a proper algorithm is not created during prototyping. Prototyping is used to allow the users evaluate developer proposals and try them out before implementation.