Name:_________________________
The goal of this exam is to induce you to think about a range of issues associated with Web-based systems and to relate those issues to specific technologies we have explored this semester. It is also an opportunity to step back and think creatively.
It is an open book and open note exam, but please do not discuss it with others until after you have turned in your exam. Please type your answers. You may submit your exam by email (jbs@cs.unc.edu) or turn in a paper copy to jbs's office (FB 144) no later than noon on Monday, December 13, 2010.
1. [20 pts.] Security is an important part of many Web-based systems in addition to e-commerce applications. Listed below are several key components and a protocol used in current systems to provide for privacy, authenticity, validity, and other security-related functions.
A. Certificate
B. Certificate Authority
C. Public/Private Key Encryption
D. Digital Signature
E. HTTPSFor each of these, discuss the following:
a. What is it? In 2-3 sentences, define or describe what the component or protocol is.
b. What is it used for? Explain.
c. Is it used in conjunction with other components or the protocol? If so, how and for what purposes? explain.
2. [20 pts.] Thick clients are not used as extensively in Web-based systems but they can provide useful function not easily achieved otherwise. DiscussA. What is a thick client?
B. How does it differ from a thin client?
C. List and discuss briefly 3 possible uses of a thick client, including example applications.
D. List and briefly discuss 3 technical issues/problems they raise that are not present with thin clients.
3. [30 pts.] This semester we have made extensive use of the JavaServer Faces framework. However, Faces is just one of several such frameworks that could have been used to build Web applications comparable to our e-commerce business to customer application. The goal of this question is to identify several other such middleware tools and compare them to Faces.A. Identify and describe in a paragraph or so 2 other frameworks suitable for Web-based, Java implemented applications on a scale comparable to that of the e-commerce system you developed this semester.
B. Compare them to Faces: how are they similar? how are they different?.
C. If you were going to build a similar application within the next year, which framework, if any, would you use? Explain and defend your decision.
4. [30 pts.] Sit back, close your eyes, and imagine what Web applications/Web computing will be like 5 years from now. Describe that vision. Make it as concrete as you can be identifying and discussing 3 or 4 specific functions/applications that you foresee that don't exist today. If they did exist, would that be a good thing or a bad thing? What are the main hurdles that would have to be overcome for them to exist?
Pledge: I have neither given nor receive unauthorized aid on this exam.
Signed: __________________________