CPSA Views and Documentation Questions and Answers

Question 1

An architect needs to create documentation for the operations team to plan server capacity and network configuration.
Which architectural view is MOST suitable for communicating how software components are mapped to physical machines, servers, and other hardware nodes?

Accepted Answer

Deployment View

Answer

Building Block View

Answer

Runtime View

Answer

Context View

Question 2

What is the primary purpose of the Context View in software architecture documentation?

Accepted Answer

To show the system's boundaries and its relationships with external users, systems, and interfaces.

Answer

To detail the internal modular structure and dependencies of the code.

Answer

To describe the sequence of interactions between components for a specific use case.

Answer

To map the software components to the underlying hardware infrastructure.

Question 3

A new developer is joining the team and needs to understand the static organization of the source code, including its decomposition into modules, subsystems, and the dependencies between them. Which of the following views would be the MOST effective starting point for this developer?

Accepted Answer

The Building Block View

Answer

The Runtime View

Answer

The Deployment View

Answer

The Logical View

Question 4

You are documenting a critical user transaction that involves a web server, an application server, and a database. To explain how these components interact at runtime, including the sequence of calls and data flow, which architectural view should you create?

Accepted Answer

Runtime View

Answer

Context View

Answer

Building Block View

Answer

Deployment View

Question 5

In the context of architectural documentation, what is the key distinction between a 'view' and a 'viewpoint'?

Accepted Answer

A viewpoint is a template or set of conventions for constructing a view, which is the actual representation for a specific system.

Answer

A view is a high-level summary, while a viewpoint is a detailed diagram.

Answer

A view is for technical stakeholders, whereas a viewpoint is for business stakeholders.

Answer

There is no significant difference; the terms are used interchangeably in modern architecture practices.

Question 6

When using the arc42 documentation template, in which section would you primarily document the system's scope by identifying neighboring systems, users, and external interfaces?

Accepted Answer

Section 3: Context and Scope

Answer

Section 5: Building Block View

Answer

Section 9: Architectural Decisions

Answer

Section 8: Crosscutting Concepts