The Development Stage

Questions:
1. Summarise what the ‘Development’ stage involves.
create a system that works fully and is free of errors

2. List the 4 stages of development.

 Creating a file structure to store data

 Create validation rules to make sure that data entered is sensible
 Create a user-interface to allow data to be input into the system
 Create output formats (reports, payslip's, bills etc)

3. Explain what a file structure is.

Systems that are required to hold data need to use file structures

4. File structures are made up of 4 parts. What are they?

 Field Properties
 Fields
 Tables
 Records

5. Explain what test data is.

data that entered into the fields to make sure that data is being stored correctly

6. Explain what validation rules/checks are.

make sure that only correct data can be entered into the system

7. State the 2 ways in which validation rules are tested to ensure they are working correctly.

 unit testing
 manual testing

IGCSE ICT: Unit 7 - Systems Life Cycle Mark Nicholls - ICT Lounge
 8. Explain what a user-interface is.

the point of human-computer interaction and communication in a device

9. List 4 characteristics that a good user-interface should include.

 Make use of form controls appropriately

 Include instructions which tell the user how to enter data correctly
 Make sure that text boxes are large enough to enter the required data
 Be well designed and easy to understand

10. Explain what form controls are.

are the items on a data entry form that allow you to interact with the system and enter data

11. List 5 examples of form controls, along with a description of what each of them are used for and
include an image (the image should not come from the ictlounge).

Form control Description Example Image

Option buttons Used to select from a number of
options (only one option can be
selected

Text boxes Used to enter text using a

keyboard

Combo boxes Used to select one item from a

(drop-down lists) list of options

Command buttons Used to perform a command

(save for example)

IGCSE ICT: Unit 7 - Systems Life Cycle Mark Nicholls - ICT Lounge
 Check boxes Used to select from a number of
options (more than one option
can be selected)

12. Explain what a system output is.

is the information produced by a system or process from a specific input.

13. There are 2 types of system outputs. What are they?

 On-screen outputs
 Printed outputs (hard copies)

14. List 3 characteristics that a good system output should have.

 easy to read
 complete and correct
 clear

IGCSE ICT: Unit 7 - Systems Life Cycle Mark Nicholls - ICT Lounge