Q.3 Hugo has produced a program (app) for mobile phones.

He needs to decide whether to use an

Open Source licence or to distribute the app as shareware.

(a) Describe what is meant by Open Source licence and shareware.

Open Source
The source code is released with program

Users can edit the source code to suit their needs

Users re-release their version under the same terms

Can be cost-free but may also need payment

Shareware
Users get a free trial of the software which may be limited in features

No access to source code, Program cannot be edited

They have to pay or sign-up after the expiry date

They have to pay OR sign-up to get full functionality

Then they have to pay or sign-up to stop unwanted pop-ups, etc.

(b) Tick (3) one box to indicate the licence Hugo should use. Justify your choice.

For Open Source

For example:

• Hugo does not have to set up ways to take funds

• Others may enhance or improve the program

• Hugo can charge a fee for the App

Or

For Shareware

For example:

• Hugo can charge for the App

• Hugo gets the sole recognition for the program

• Possible legal consequences if someone does copy the code

• If users need to sign up, their data can be used for marketing etc.

• Customers have peace of mind that the software hasn’t been maliciously edited or bugs introduced

Q3 Ria manages a team of software developers. The team is creating a mobile application game for a
client.

Ria wants to ensure that her team works to the ACM/IEEE Software Engineering Code of Ethics.

(a) Explain the ways in which Ria and her team can ensure that they follow the Code of Ethics in

relation to the product and their colleagues.

(i) Product

For example:

• Ensure product is of a high standard

• Ensure product meets requirements

• Ensure the product is delivered within time

• Ensure the product is delivered within budget

• Ensure product development is well-documented

• Ensure product is tested thoroughly or free of bugs

(ii) Colleagues

For example:

• Need to be fair or do not show any prejudices

• To be supportive of colleagues

• Work together as a team

• Listen to each other’s ideas

• Assist colleagues in professional development

• Fully credit the work of other members of the team

• Make colleagues aware of expected standard ways of working

Identify two types of licence that Ria could recommend to her client and justify the use of

each licence.

Commercial / proprietary

Software is sold for a fee therefore giving the client the income

Shareware

Free for a trial period / limited features, and then users must pay for it

Malika has started a new job as a trainee software engineer.

(a) Malika’s manager has asked her to work with a senior software engineer for the first week.

Explain the ways in which Malika’s manager has acted ethically.

Answer

• The manager is supporting her professional development

• The manager is working in the best interest of his/her colleague (Malika)

• This will ensure she is introduced to all aspects of the job

• The manager is offering appropriate support

(b) Malika researched the company and the programming languages used by the company

before she started the job.

Explain the ways in which Malika has acted ethically

Answer

• She is acting in her own best interest by taking responsibility for her own professional development

• She is acting in the best interests of her colleagues by ensuring she is up-to-date and does not need
further training
(c) Malika thinks that her colleagues do not like her, so she asks her manager for help.

Describe the actions the manager could take to support Malika in an ethical way.

Answer

• Discuss the problems with her

• Discuss the concerns with her colleagues

• Assign her a mentor who can reassure her

• Team building exercises

Q6 Lara is managing a team of software developers who are writing a computer program.

(a) Benedict is one of the developers. He is struggling to keep up with his workload.

Describe the ways in which Lara can ethically support Benedict.

Answer

• Reduce his workload or Review his work demands

• Redistribute his work

• Arrange a meeting with him to discuss the reasons why he is struggling

(b) Lara has identified that when a specific sequence of actions is performed in the program, a

run-time error causes the program to crash.

She has decided there is not enough time to debug the code because the client needs the

system urgently, and there is a possibility that the client may never perform this sequence of

actions.

Explain the reasons why Lara is not acting ethically.

Answer

• Not acting in best interest of the client. The error could cause significant problems for the client if
encountered

• The product does not meet the highest possible standard

• Not acting in the best interest of the development company if the error occurs, it could lead to
repercussions for the development company

(c) The client wants to copyright the final program so that no one else can copy or amend it.
(i) State the purpose of copyrighting the computer program.

Answer

• Protects the intellectual property

• Allows legal action against anyone else who claims it as their own

• Formally and Legally identify the client as the owner of the software

(ii) Identify two software licences that would be appropriate for the program.

• Commercial

• Shareware

(iii) Identify one software licence that would not be appropriate for the program. Justify your

choice.

• Open Source or Free Software

• Anyone can modify and copy the source code and re-distribute which is not what the client wants

5 Mica has created some software and has copyrighted it. She wants to stop other people from

copying and changing it illegally.

(a) Identify two ways Mica can prevent illegal copies of the software being installed.

Answer

• Encryption
• Assign a unique code so it will not install without this i.e., product key

• Limit the number of times that version of the software can be installed

• Set a time limit within which the software must be installed

(b) Identify one way Mica can distribute the software without the source code.

Answer

Provide an .exe file or Compile the source code i.e Use a compiler

(c) Mica is releasing the software under a commercial licence.

(i) Give two benefits to Mica of using a commercial licence.

Answer

So that she can sell the software for a fee or make money from the software

• A commercial licence prohibits unauthorized further copies being made and distributed

• A commercial licence prohibits any changes to the software

(ii) Name two other types of software licence.

Answer

• Open Source

• Free Software

• Shareware

• Freeware

Q.5 Arnold is a software developer. He has created a computer game for people to download over the

Internet. Arnold is considering releasing the game as a piece of commercial software.

(a) (i) Describe what is meant by a commercial licence.

• Restricted use

• Source code not provided OR source code protected

• Anyone can purchase and download if agree to the terms

(ii) Name and describe one other type of licence that Arnold can consider using.

Answer

Either

Open Source

The source code is released with the program

Users can change or edit the source code to enhance the game

Users can re-release the game under the same terms or the game might spread more easily

Or

Shareware

Users get free trial or limited access for set time

Users do not have access to the source code or source code may not be edited

At end of trial period, users may have to pay or register to continue using the game

Can get people ‘hooked’ (addictive) and then charge a fee

Or

Freeware

There is no fee for the game

The game could be copyrighted

Modification, re-distribution or reverse engineering of the game without permission is prohibited

6 Raj has joined a software company as a trainee programmer. He was given the company’s Code

of Conduct document during his induction training. The handbook has a section headed ‘Ethical

Behaviour’.

(a) Describe what is meant by ethics.

Answer

A system of moral principles that guide behaviour, decision making based on philosophical or religious
views

for example, e.g. respectful and considerate behaviour

(b) Raj is assigned to work as a new member of a development team.

In his first week, Raj feels uncomfortable working with one of his colleagues. He is unfamiliar

with the programming language used by the team. Next week, he will be working on the site

of one of the company’s clients with a colleague. Raj is very nervous about working in an

unfamiliar workplace.

Raj has a review with his manager after his first three weeks.

The Code of Conduct document was produced by the Human Resources section. It closely

follows the ACM/IEEE Software Engineering Code of Ethics that uses these eight keys principles:

Public Client and Employer Product Judgement

Management Profession Colleagues Self

There are issues Raj will want to raise with his manager.

• Describe two of these issues.

• Circle the key ACM/IEEE principle this comes under.

• Suggest what action should be taken to demonstrate ethical behaviour.

ACM/IEEE principle (Circle one only)

Public Client and Employer Product Judgement

Management Profession Colleagues Self

Answer

Issue 1

Description
Uncomfortable with one of his colleagues

Client and Employer or Management / Colleagues // Judgement // Self

Possible action

For example: Team building exercises // arranged meeting

Issue 2

Description ................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

ACM/IEEE principle (Circle one only)

Public Client and Employer Product Judgement

Management Profession Colleagues Self

Possible action .........................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

Answer

Unfamiliar with programming language

Self, Client and Employer, Product , Profession , Colleagues

For example: Undergo training

3 Visit to unfamiliar workplace

Client and employer, Management , Judgement , Profession , Colleagues

For example: He should speak to his manager to discuss situation

Question

5 Bobby is a senior programmer at a software house which produces intruder detection software.

He also runs his own software company which develops and sells various computer applications.

The following table shows seven activities which Bobby carries out.
Put a tick (✓) in the appropriate column to identify if the activity is ethical or unethical

Answer