Qualification:
Cambridge Advanced Nationals in Computing (AAQ)
Certificate:
Computing: Application Development (H029 / H129)
Unit:
F161: Developing Application Software
5.3 - Policies
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Policies
You need to know the purpose, content and application of each policy to be considered when related to developing application platforms.
What You Need to Know
Policies
Policies provide rules and guidance that help ensure an application platform is developed and used safely, responsibly and effectively.
Application User Guide
An application user guide provides users with instructions and information about how to install, access and use the application correctly. It may include system requirements, installation instructions, explanations of features, troubleshooting advice and contact/support information.
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Developers create and maintain documentation that reflects the finished application and is accessible and understandable to its intended users. System requirements are an important part of the guide as they allow users to check that their device and operating system are compatible before installation, helping prevent errors and providing useful information when troubleshooting problems.
Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)
An acceptable use policy (AUP) defines rules about how an application can and cannot be used, encouraging appropriate and responsible behaviour. It includes acceptable and unacceptable activities, user responsibilities, prohibited content or behaviour, security requirements and possible consequences of breaking the rules.
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Developers ensure users are given access to the AUP and may be required to agree to it before using the application. For example, a school's learning platform could prohibit users from sharing passwords, posting offensive content or attempting to access another student's account.
Backup Policy
A backup policy ensures that important application data can be recovered if the original data is lost, damaged, corrupted or affected by a security incident. The policy defines what data should be backed up, how often backups occur, where they are stored, how long they are retained and how data can be restored.
Developers ensure the application supports the organisation's backup requirements, such as automatically backing up user data at scheduled intervals and securely storing backup copies. For example, a school application could automatically back up student records each day so they can be restored following data loss.
Codes of Practice
Codes of practice provide guidelines for good professional practice when developing and operating application platforms. They may cover areas such as security, accessibility, privacy, ethical behaviour, development standards and handling user data responsibly.
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Developers follow relevant professional or industry guidelines throughout the development process when designing, coding, testing and maintaining the application. For example, developers could follow accessibility guidance to make an application usable by people with different accessibility needs.
Staying Safe Online
A staying safe online policy promotes responsible internet use and protects the safety and well-being of users, helping create a safe and respectful online environment. It includes guidance about protecting personal information, communicating safely, appropriate online behaviour, recognising suspicious content and reporting concerns.
Developers can provide safety information and suitable features, such as privacy controls, reporting systems, blocking features and warnings about sharing personal information. For example, a social media application could allow users to block and report other accounts and provide guidance about not sharing personal information.
Use of Information
A use of information policy explains how an organisation collects, uses, stores and shares users' information. It provides transparency, builds trust and helps meet legal responsibilities. The policy identifies what information is collected, why it is required, how it will be used and stored, who it may be shared with, users' rights and restrictions on misuse.
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Developers design the application so that information is collected and processed according to the policy, including appropriate privacy controls, permissions and security measures. For example, an application collecting users' email addresses should explain why they are collected, how they will be used and who can access them.
Questo's Questions
5.3 - Policies:
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1. Explain the purpose of an application user guide and describe the information it should contain. ​[3]
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2. Explain the purpose and content of an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP), including how it can be applied to an application platform.​ [4]
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3. Explain the purpose of backup policies and codes of practice and how developers can apply them when developing application platforms. [4]
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4. Explain the purpose and content of a staying safe online policy and how its requirements could influence the features of an application. ​[4]
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5. Explain the purpose and content of a use of information policy, including how developers can ensure information is collected, stored, used and shared appropriately. ​[4]
During the production of Toy Story 2, a command accidentally deleted a huge amount of the film's production data. Pixar discovered that its backups had problems too, but supervising technical director Galyn Susman had a backup copy of the project stored on her computer at home while working remotely, which allowed much of the deleted work to be recovered.
Did You Know?
