Computer-aided Software Engineering Environment Research Articles

FORM: A flexible data model for integrated CASE environments

An Integrated Computer-Aided Software Engineering Environment (ICASE) is a software system that can support the development, maintenance, and use of enterprise-wide information resources. An ICASE requires a data model that can represent heterogeneous types of entities and relationships evolving in time and context. This paper describes a data model called FORM (Flexible Object-Relationship Model) for the object management system of ICASEs. FORM is an extended object-oriented data model adopting concepts in semantic data modeling and meta-modeling. Relationship types as well as entity types, both of which can be defined as objects in an object schema help integrate heterogeneous concepts; and meta-types that hold adaptable semantics of object manipulation help raise the automation level of ICASEs. An object-modeling approach for version control is illustrated to show the effectiveness of the framework.

Integrated support for software reuse in Computer-Aided Software Engineering (CASE)

The success and acceptance of reuse tools and libraries depends on their integration into existing software development environments. However, the addition of large libraries of reusable components to software design databases only exacerbates the problem of design data management. Object-oriented databases originated to meet the requirements of design data management that relational databases could not satisfy. This paper describes a semantic data model for an object-oriented database supporting an integrated Computer Aided Software Engineering environment (CASE). The data model promotes reuse by providing objects that match program design requirements to existing components in the reuse library.

A Reference Model for Computer-aided Control Engineering

A reference model for computer-aided control engineering is developed from a reference model for computer-aided software engineering environments. It comprises a framework, with user intelface, database, message, task management and modelling service groups, and a set of tools. Three groups are similar to those in the computer-aided software engineering model, for which layered models have been developed. The task management and modelling service groups are more closely related to the requirements of computer-aided control engineering. Adoption of the reference model is advocated to initiate the development of an Open System for computer-aided control engineering.

Reuse of Case-based Automation Project Results

Reusability is a key to improving productivity and reliability of automation projects. Machine-processible representations of project results (such as design specifications, control algorithms, cost data etc.) are claimed to be a basic prerequisite for reuse. Selected features of the computer aided software engineering environment EPOS are discussed as an example of a framework fulfilling these requirements. A knowledgebased reuse support system is then introduced, encompassing a search language PROSA and an expert system shell KNOSSOS. Aimed at locating results in previously completed project data bases, which are similar to the results required for an actual automation project, several searching strategies are explained. Using a demonstration example of a traffic light control system the approach for knowledge based searching for reusable project results is illustrated in detail.

An experimenter tool for an integrated modelling support environment — its role and design

Performance modelling and estimation of computer systems is a vital facility for any software engineer. Thus any computer-aided software engineering environment should contain tools to support this. The need to provide tools to support systematic experimentation with performance models is examined and a solution is discussed, building on the idea of an experimental frame, originally introduced by Zeigler in Ref. 1. The inter-working of these tools and the support tools in a proposed integrated modelling support environment is considered. The tools discussed are an experimental plan editor, an experiment executor and an animator. This report is based on a deliverable***! of the Alvey project SE/059 ‘Improved methods for performance modelling (SIMMER)’, but has been edited to be more self-contained.

Object database support for a software project management environment

The recent development of object-oriented database models, which combine the power of object programming and the efficient management of data, provides a feasible solution for the construction of a computer-aided software engineering environment or CASE. However, an object oriented database provides only a kernel set of capabilities. This paper identifies the data management requirements related to software project management and shows how they are represented in the model called Design-Net. Then it is shown how the concepts of the work breakdown structure, project history, event monitoring, and re-initiation of tasks are realized in a specific object-oriented system. Limitations of existing object oriented database systems are identified, with respect to implementing these concepts. Based upon an actual prototype, recommendations are made for enhancing future object-oriented systems.

Object database support for a software project management environment

The recent development of object-oriented database models, which combine the power of object programming and the efficient management of data, provides a feasible solution for the construction of a computer-aided software engineering environment or CASE. However, an object oriented database provides only a kernel set of capabilities. This paper identifies the data management requirements related to software project management and shows how they are represented in the model called Design-Net. Then it is shown how the concepts of the work breakdown structure, project history, event monitoring, and re-initiation of tasks are realized in a specific object-oriented system. Limitations of existing object oriented database systems are identified, with respect to implementing these concepts. Based upon an actual prototype, recommendations are made for enhancing future object-oriented systems.

Computer-Aided Software Engineering in a distributed workstation environment

Computer-Aided Software Engineering environments are becoming essential for complex software projects, just as CAD systems have become essential for complex hardware projects. DSEE, the DOMAIN Software Engineering Environment, is a distributed, production quality, software development environment that runs on Apollo workstations. DSEE provides source code control, configuration management, release control, advice management, task management, and user-defined dependency tracking with automatic notification. DSEE incorporates some of the best ideas from existing systems. This paper describes DSEE, contrasts it other systems, and discusses some of the technical issues involved in the construction of a highly-reliable, safe, efficient, and distributed development environment.

Computer-Aided Software Engineering in a distributed workstation environment

Computer-Aided Software Engineering environments are becoming essential for complex software projects, just as CAD systems have become essential for complex hardware projects. DSEE, the DOMAIN Software Engineering Environment, is a distributed, production quality, software development environment that runs on Apollo workstations. DSEE provides source code control, configuration management, release control, advice management, task management, and user-defined dependency tracking with automatic notification. DSEE incorporates some of the best ideas from existing systems. This paper describes DSEE, contrasts it other systems, and discusses some of the technical issues involved in the construction of a highly-reliable, safe, efficient, and distributed development environment.