CPSA-FL ISAQB Certified Professional for Software Architecture -Foundation Level Questions and Answers

The correct statements about data structures, specifically stacks, are:A. The push operation usually places a new element onto a stack. - This is the basic operation of a stack data structure, where elements are added to the top of the stack.D. A stack usually only provides access to one element at a time. - In stack terminology, this is known as LIFO (Last In, First Out) behavior, where only the top element is accessible at any time for operations like pop or peek.

The techniques best suited to illustrate the interaction of runtime building blocks are:A. Activity diagrams - Useful for showing the flow of control among various activities and decisions in the system.B. Sequence diagrams - Ideal for depicting the order of messages exchanged between components or objects in a specific scenario.C. State diagram - Shows how a component or an object changes its state in response to events, highlighting dynamic behavior.G. Depiction of screen flows (sequence of user interactions) - Useful for visualizing the sequence of user interactions with the system, which is critical for user-centric design and runtime behavior analysis.

A) FalseB) FalseC) TrueD) TrueE) TrueF) True

A) Agile approaches make written documentation unnecessary. In such cases, verbal communication can substitute for documentation.

• False. Even in agile approaches, written documentation is important for maintaining a clear and consistent understanding of the architecture among team members and stakeholders1.

B) Written documentation makes verbal reiteration unnecessary.

• False. Verbal communication is essential for clarifying and reinforcing the content of written documentation, especially when addressing complex or nuanced architectural issues2.

C) Despite written documentation, verbal communication of architectural interrelationships is important.

• True. Verbal communication plays a crucial role in explaining the rationale behind architectural decisions and interrelationships that may not be fully captured in documentation2.

D) Documentation and communication should use identical terms and rationale.

• True. Consistency in terminology and rationale between documentation and verbal communication helps prevent misunderstandings and ensures that all parties have a common understanding of the architecture2.

E) Documentation should be created primarily for project participants who either cannot or do not want to read the system’s source code.

• True. Documentation serves as a guide for those who may not be directly involved in coding but need to understand the architecture, such as managers, new team members, or external stakeholders2.

F) Communication and documentation complement each other: verbal communication helps architects determine what must be recorded in writing.

• True. Verbal communication often reveals what aspects of the architecture are most important or confusing to team members, guiding what should be emphasized in written documentation

To demonstrate the suitability of building blocks for implementing a use-case scenario effectively, UML (Unified Modeling Language) diagrams are instrumental. Among the options:

• B: Sequence diagram is the most suitable choice because it shows how objects interact in a particular scenario of a use case, detailing the sequence of messages exchanged between objects to accomplish the functionality described in the use case. This makes it ideal for demonstrating the dynamic behavior of the system components in the scenario.

References:

References:

Known patterns for the adaptation of interfaces include:A. Bridge - This design pattern is used to separate abstraction from its implementation so that both can be modified independently without affecting each other.D. Façade - This pattern provides a simplified interface to a more complex subsystem, serving as a point of entry to a larger body of code, making it easier to use.

A) TrueB) FalseC) TrueD) FalseE) True

The building-block view, as per the iSAQB® SOFTWARE ARCHITECTURE – FOUNDATION LEVEL, typically includes the following information:

A) Which building blocks the software is composed of: This is true. The building-block view shows the composition of software building blocks1.

B) How the building blocks interact during run time: This is false. The interaction during runtime is typically shown in the runtime view, not the building-block view1.

C) How the building blocks are hierarchically decomposed: This is true. The building-block view includes hierarchical decomposition of the software building blocks1.

D) How the building blocks are distributed in a distributed system: This is false. The distribution of building blocks in a distributed system is part of the deployment view1.

E) The dependencies between the building blocks: This is true. The building-block view should show the dependencies between the different building blocks1.

These aspects are essential for understanding the structure and organization of the software architecture and are aligned with the iSAQB® SOFTWARE ARCHITECTURE – FOUNDATION LEVEL documents1.

A) Not AppropriateB) AppropriateC) Not Appropriate

For a project involving multiple architects and developers, achieving consistent and adequate documentation is crucial. Here’s how the methods listed would fare:

A) The chief architect creates the documentation: This method is not appropriate because it places the entire burden of documentation on a single individual, which can lead to bottlenecks and may not accurately reflect the contributions and insights of the entire team1.

B) Identical templates are used for the documentation: This is an appropriate method as it ensures consistency across the documentation produced by different team members. Using identical templates helps maintain a uniform structure and style, which is beneficial for readability and maintenance1.

C) All parts of the architecture documentation are automatically extracted from the source code: Relying solely on automatic extraction is not appropriate because it may not capture all the necessary details and decisions made during the architectural design process. Manual documentation is also important to provide context and rationale that cannot be automatically generated1.

These methods are in line with the iSAQB® SOFTWARE ARCHITECTURE – FOUNDATION LEVEL, which emphasizes the importance of clear, consistent, and comprehensive documentation practices1.

When designing external interfaces, several considerations must be taken into account:A. Volatility of neighbouring systems - Changes in neighboring systems can affect the stability and compatibility of interfaces, requiring interfaces to be adaptable to changes.C. Protocols enforced by neighbouring systems - It's crucial to align with the protocols used by neighboring systems to ensure seamless communication and interoperability.D. Expected amount of parallel calls - This affects the scalability and performance requirements of the interface, as it must be designed to handle the expected load efficiently.

Appropriate statements about crosscutting concepts in software architecture include:A. The definition of appropriate concepts ensures the conceptual integrity of the architecture. - Consistent use of concepts across an architecture ensures that the system is cohesive and maintains integrity.B. Concepts are a means to increase consistency. - By defining and following common patterns and strategies, consistency is achieved throughout the system.D. Uniform exception handling is most easily achieved when architects agree with developers upon a suitable concept prior to implementation. - Establishing a common approach to exception handling before development starts can ensure uniformity and reduce errors.G. A concept can define constraints for the implementation of many building blocks. - Concepts often set rules or guidelines that impact how multiple components or building blocks should be implemented, helping to maintain a unified approach to solving architectural problems.

These answers are derived from established principles and patterns in the field of software architecture, focusing on best practices and common methodologies.