About this previous year paper
The B.Tech Software Engineering (RCS402) question paper from the 2017–18 VI Semester Theory Examination is a comprehensive 70-mark exam structured to test students on the principles, methodologies, models, and tools used in modern software development. The paper is divided into three well-balanced sections: foundational concepts, descriptive answers, and analytical problem-based questions. It covers requirements engineering, SDLC, software design principles, testing methodologies, risk management, software metrics, and quality assurance.
SECTION A – Short Answer Questions (14 Marks)
This section contains 7 questions, each worth 2 marks, aimed at testing students’ basic theoretical understanding of software engineering fundamentals. Topics include:
Requirement elicitation methods (interviews, questionnaires, prototyping, observation, etc.)
Verification vs. Validation in software development
Software crisis and its causes
Comparison of ISO 9000 vs SEI-CMM (Capability Maturity Model)
Top-down vs Bottom-up approaches
Difference between Software Re-engineering and Reverse Engineering
Black-box testing definition and purpose
These are direct, concept-based questions to ensure clarity of basic SE terminology.
SECTION B – Descriptive Questions (Any 3 × 7 = 21 Marks)
Section B includes medium-length, explanatory questions that evaluate students’ understanding of core software engineering processes, methodologies, and design paradigms.
Key topics include:
1. Modularity in Software Design
Explaining cohesion, coupling, decomposition, modular design principles with examples.
2. SDLC (Software Development Life Cycle)
Discussing various phases such as:
Requirements analysis Design
Coding Testing
Deployment Maintenance
3. OOP Concepts (Object, Message, Polymorphism, Abstraction, Class)
Definitions and importance of object-oriented thinking.
4. Function-Oriented vs Object-Oriented Design
Architectural differences, design flow, advantages, constraints.
5. Short Notes on:
White Box Testing
COCOMO Cost Estimation Model
E-R Diagram
These questions require structured, example-backed answers.
SECTION C – Advanced Analysis & Design Questions (7 Marks Each)
Section C includes scenario-based and analytical questions that test higher-level understanding and application of software engineering principles.
Q3 – DFD or Software Metrics
Students choose one:
Level-1 DFD of a Library Management System (processes, data stores, flows, external entities)
OR
Halstead Software Metrics including token count, operators, operands, and difficulty metrics
Q4 – Testing, SQA & Risk
Option (a) asks for short notes on:
Software Testing
Software Quality Assurance (SQA)
Cyclomatic Complexity
Or (b) Risk Management, differences between project and technical risks.
Q5 – DFD Rules / Coupling & Cohesion
Explain DFD rules, good practices, balancing, naming conventions, with examples
OR
Discuss coupling & cohesion, their roles in software design, and describe the ideal/best types (e.g., functional cohesion, data coupling)
Q6 – Risk Reduction / Software Maintenance
Explain risk management strategies and criteria for selecting the best risk reduction technique
OR
Define Software Maintenance and explain the structure of CASE tools
Q7 – Functional Independence / Software Reviews
Students explain:
Functional independence, why it is essential for good software design
OR
Short notes on:
Walkthroughs
Inspection techniques in software reviews