<title>Integration of object-oriented and functional modeling and design methods</title>

Abstract

Object-oriented methodologies provide robust designs that focus on the essence of the problem to be solved. These methodologies are bottom up design processes. The process begins with the object models (what), then build the dynamic model (when), and then the function model (how). While development of the object model is very straightforward and direct, development of the dynamic and functional models is more circuitous. Also with this process, the structure or architecture of the system does not become apparent until the development of the functional model. In addition, many methods such as the object modeling technique are difficult to use for large systems where there are more than 20 developers. Systems engineering on the other hand, is a powerful, functionally- based process that can be used to address very complicated, large, and technically difficult problems. It is a top down approach that connects an analysis and design loop through the use of functional decomposition. Although some authors criticize functional approaches for incomplete specifications and designs, properly applied they can generate designs that are robust, modular, scaleable and extensible. At first glance it would seem that these orthogonal approaches could be combined using each to address different elements of the problem. However, some problems arise when one tries to combine the power of systems engineering to partition the problem into manageable systems with the capability of object- oriented modeling and design. This paper addresses that problem and provides a solution.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.