volume_mute

Three Classes of Interface Errors

publish date2026/06/18 03:56:39.230050 UTC

volume_mute

Interface errors fall into three classes. Classify each scenario into the correct error class.

drag and drop the selected option to the right place

Correct Answer

(1) A method is called with parameters in the wrong order, causing incorrect behavior,Interface misuse
(2) A binary search method is called with an unordered array because the caller assumed any array would work,Interface misunderstanding
(3) A producer updates shared data too slowly; the consumer reads stale data,Timing errors

Explanation

Interface misuse occurs when a calling component incorrectly uses an interface (wrong parameter type/order/count). Interface misunderstanding occurs when the caller makes wrong assumptions about the called component's behavior (e.g., assuming binary search works on unsorted arrays). Timing errors occur in shared memory or message-passing systems when producer and consumer operate at different speeds.

Reference

Software Engineering, Ian Sommerville, 10th edition


Quizzes you can take where this question appears