CPSA-FL Practice Exam Questions with Answers ISAQB Certified Professional for Software Architecture -Foundation Level Certification

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:

For a building block, the characteristics visible only in the whitebox view are:

• Code structure of the building block (D)
• Algorithms used in the building block (E)
• Implementation details for the security requirements of the building blocks (G)

The blackbox view suffices for:

• Public interfaces of the building block (A)
• Test coverage based on unit tests for sub building blocks contained in the building block (B)
• Test coverage based on integration tests ©
• Security requirements of the building blocks (F)

In software architecture, the whitebox view reveals the internal workings of a building block, including its code structure, algorithms, and specific implementation details1. This view is essential when the internal structure and behavior of the component need to be understood or modified.

On the other hand, the blackbox view treats the building block as an opaque entity, focusing on its exposed interfaces and observable behaviors without revealing its internal structure2. This view is sufficient for understanding what the building block does from an external perspective, such as its public interfaces and how well it performs its functions as determined by testing.

Here’s a breakdown of the characteristics:

• Whitebox View:
• Blackbox View:

References:

• arc42 Documentation on Building Block View1.
• Stack Overflow discussion on the difference between black box and white box in component diagrams2.
• Flylib Section on Black-Box and White-Box Component Views3.

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.

Considering that the requirements are still being determined, designing components with specific attributes can ensure adaptability and maintainability of the architecture.

• B: Weak coupling makes individual components less dependent on each other, enhancing the flexibility and scalability of the system.
• C: Strong cohesion ensures that components are designed with a clear purpose and functionality, improving the system's integrity and ease of maintenance.
• D: Making components open for extension but closed for modification supports the adaptability of the system to changing requirements without disrupting existing functionality.

In template-based architecture documentation, the most important fields are:A. To describe module structures (white boxes) - This involves detailing the internal structure of modules, which is crucial for understanding how software components are implemented and how they interact internally.B. To describe individual architectural modules and their external interfaces (black boxes) - This focuses on the interfaces and interactions of modules with external components, essential for understanding system integrations and dependencies.D. To use a standardized document structure - Standardization in documentation facilitates consistency, readability, and maintainability of documents, which is critical for long-term project management and new team member onboarding.

A) TrueB) TrueC) FalseD) TrueE) TrueF) True

A) Top-down and bottom-up design may be employed in the same project.

• Top-down and bottom-up are two approaches to the design of software architecture. In top-down, the high-level design is created first, focusing on general functionalities and structure. In contrast, bottom-up starts with detailed designs focusing on a component or module level.

In the context of software architecture, the common definitions often focus on the structural aspects of system design. Here’s how the chosen answers align with the iSAQB® guidelines on software architecture:

• Building Blocks (B): A fundamental concept in software architecture, building blocks refer to the modular units from which the system is constructed. These can include modules, classes, or components, all of which are vital for defining the structure and behavior of the system.
• Relationships (D): Relationships in software architecture define how different components or building blocks interact with each other. These interactions are essential for understanding data flow, dependencies, and communication patterns within the system.
• Components (E): Components are larger than building blocks and encompass them, representing significant units of functionality within the system. Each component usually encapsulates a portion of the system's overall functionality and interacts with other components via interfaces.
• Interfaces (G): Interfaces define the points of interaction between components or building blocks. They are critical for ensuring that components can function independently yet interact seamlessly when required.