Software Development Framework Research Articles

Component-Based, Information Oriented Structural Engineering Applications

Component-based software development has gained wide acceptance within the computer science discipline and the software development industry. Apparently, application of this concept has not been attempted for the development of software for structural engineering applications. This paper presents the overall framework for component-based software development for integrated structural engineering applications using the principles of information transformation. An information-oriented review of the overall structural design process is carried out to develop the information content and transformations involved in this process. This information transformation concept is then used to propose a framework for the development of software for integrated structural design applications including the identification of key packages, patterns, components, class hierarchies and object models. Use of extensible markup language is proposed as the main information description and communication standard. The advantages of using the proposed framework are discussed along with application and implementation scenarios.

Ladder Diagram and Petri-Net-Based Discrete-Event Control Design Methods

Ladder diagrams (LDs) for a programmable logic controller are a dominant method in discrete event control of industrial automated systems. Yet, the ever-increasing functionality and complexity of these systems have challenged the use of LDs to design their discrete-event controllers. Researchers are constantly pursuing integrated tools that eliminate the limitations of LDs. These tools are aimed not only for control but also system analysis, evaluation, and simulation. For the past several decades, Petri nets (PNs) have emerged as an important tool to provide an integrated solution for modeling, analysis, simulation, and control of industrial automated systems. Different types of PN-based controllers are proposed and intended to apply in the industry. There is a need for more benchmark studies of PN and LD methods in order to form a structured and integrated framework for logic control software development. This paper, for the first time, presents a comprehensive survey on the recent methods for discrete event control design.

MZ-Platform: A Component Switching AndExecuting Environment

We have started a national research and development project of a manufacturing technology information infrastructure called MZ-Platform. MZ-Platform is a component-based software development framework, designed to support manufacturing enterprises to enhance digitalized technologies in a selfinnovative way. The major characteristic is that it can switch the running program by changing their components dynamically. It can load JavaBeans components searched by a component mining method, make connections with other active components and execute them. We show some application examples related to design and a manufacturing, such as a CAD (Computer Aided Design)

An operational model for structuring the requirements generation process

Product quality is directly related to how well that product meets the customer’s needs and intents. Therefore, the ability to capture customer requirements correctly and succinctly is paramount. Unfortunately, within most software development frameworks requirements elicitation, recording and evaluation are some of the more ill-defined and least structured activities. To help address such inadequacies, we propose a requirements generation model (RGM) that (a) decomposes the conventional “requirements analysis” phase into sub-phases which focus and refine requirement generation activities, (b) bounds and structures those activities to promote a more effective generation process, and (c) implements a monitoring methodology to assist in detecting deviations from well-defined procedures intended to support the generation of requirements that meet the customer’s intent. The RGM incorporates “lessons learned” from a preliminary study that concentrated on identifying where and how miscommunication and requirements omission occur. An industry study (also reported in this paper) attests to the effectiveness of the RGM. The results of that study indicate that the RGM helps (a) reduce the late discovery of requirements, (b) reduce the slippage in milestone completion dates, and (c) increase customer and management satisfaction levels.

A Component-based Software Development and Execution Framework for CAx Applications

Digitalization of the manufacturing process and technologies is regarded as the key to increased competitive ability. The MZ-Platform infrastructure is a component-based software development framework, designed for supporting enterprises to enhance digitalized technologies using software tools and CAx components in a self-innovative way. In the paper we show the algorithm, system architecture, and a CAx application example on MZ-Platform. We also propose a new parametric data structure based on MZ-Platform.

The Big Bang Theory of IDEs

Remember the halcyon days when development required only a text editor, a compiler, and some sort of debugger (in cases where the odd printf() or two alone didn’t serve)? During the early days of computing, these were independent tools used iteratively in development’s golden circle. Somewhere along the way we realized that a closer integration of these tools could expedite the development process. Thus was born the integrated development environment (IDE), a framework and user environment for software development that’s actually a toolkit of instruments essential to software creation. At first, IDEs simply connected the big three (editor, compiler, and debugger), but nowadays most go well beyond those minimum requirements. In fact, in recent years, we have witnessed an explosion in the constituent functionality of IDEs.

Tarsier: a practical software framework for model development, testing and deployment

A new software framework for environmental simulation modeling is described. The framework facilitates fast, powerful model development by providing a system for implementing separate model elements as autonomous modules, which may then be tightly and flexibility integrated. The system is object-oriented, with integration of modules achieved through the sharing of common objects. Module autonomy is achieved by the use of generic messages passed between modules through shared objects. Shared objects represent concepts such as data, time, or sub-models. This facilitates effective model integration with no loss of speed as a result of the integration process. A large existing collection of modules, including IO, data representation and visualization, allows new models to be developed quickly with minimal attention to repetitive tasks. To date, the applications of the framework have been in the domains of hydrological, wildlife and ecosystem modeling. Experience has shown that the persistent merits of the framework include the data sharing/message passing approach, the generic conceptualization of modeling objects, and the body of modules assembled to date. The disadvantages are proving to be the dependence on a specific language and compiler. This hinders the utility of the framework for the broader model development community.

Construct an enterprise model framework using XML schema hierarchical tree

Due to the rapid development of information technology in this internet era, various kinds of legacy business application systems operating in the enterprise have been re-designed and integrated. Many companies are seeking a new methodology that can effectively reduce human resource, development time and cost. In this paper, we propose an enterprise model-based software development and application framework using the XML Schema hierarchical tree. The feature of inheritance in the XML Schema language allows us to define the class about an enterprise model. With a prototype of Enterprise Model Framework (EMF) that can manage the class and instance from a web server, software developers can rapidly construct a new information system. To evaluate the feasibility of the proposed methodology, this research implements an EMF-based electronic document management system. The results of this paper have five benefits of software development mode using the XML Schema hierarchical tree: (1) the XML Schema specification can simultaneously define an enterprise model and the structure of an XML document; (2) increase the effectiveness of developing application systems; (3) promote more integration in different systems; (4) operate non-structure datum with an enterprise; (5) various resources with an enterprise can be made to easily utilise, access and manage.

Simple Metrics for Improving Software Process Performance and Capability: A Case Study

This paper presents a case study which describes the application of statistical process performance monitoring and capability assessment on a large process control software project. The process performance and capability monitoring used in the case study is part of a Quality Framework for Software Development (QFSD) devised for the development of control systems at Fisher–Rosemount Systems and provides a practical alternative to ISO9000 quality models. The process performance measurements were based on commonly available metrics that could be obtained with the minimum disruption to the processes being examined. The application of statistical methods were used to establish problem areas at the earliest opportunity allowing process adjustments to be made to improve the process performance. The processes used were defined in terms of work products which were categorized and evaluated for the level of completion. This allowed a process capability to be calculated. Those processes which were found to be at a lower capability level became the focus for the process improvement for the next project. In particular the capability measurement identified processes where questions needed to be raised about the relevance of the process, whether the techniques used were effective and whether the tools were adequate. It was found that achieving high performance and capability is a learning process with the development team improving with each new project. The benefits have been better managed, more cost and time effective projects producing higher quality software. Management and the development team have obtained a better understanding of the software development process and this continuing learning process has lead to a continuous improvement in both the development methodology and the resulting software. The paper presents examples of the real benefits that can be obtained by tracking process performance and assessing process capability at all stages, and shows that this can be achieved without the need to resort to complex procedures for process measurement, as most of the empirical data came from commonly available process data.

Software process improvement at ABB

Software is critical to the success of Swiss-based power and automation technology giant ABB. It is the ‘glue’ that holds the £15 billion company's systems together—which means a high level of consistency is required in development and application. This paper describes the company's approach to harmonising and expediting software processes through the group—including the establishment of a common framework for software development and maturity, an online experience database to share lessons learned and a ‘decision gate’ model to expedite projects.

Software process improvement at ABB

Software is critical to the success of Swiss-based power and automation technology giant ABB. It is the ‘glue’ that holds the £15 billion company's systems together—which means a high level of consistency is required in development and application. This paper describes the company's approach to harmonising and expediting software processes through the group—including the establishment of a common framework for software development and maturity, an online experience database to share lessons learned and a ‘decision gate’ model to expedite projects.

A CORBA Commodity Grid Kit

AbstractThis paper reports on an ongoing research project aimed at designing and deploying a Common Object Resource Broker Architecture (CORBA) (ww.omg.org) Commodity Grid (CoG) Kit. The overall goal of this project is to enable the development of advanced Grid applications while adhering to state‐of‐the‐art software engineering practices and reusing the existing Grid infrastructure. As part of this activity, we are investigating how CORBA can be used to support the development of Grid applications. In this paper, we outline the design of a CORBA CoG Kit that will provide a software development framework for building a CORBA ‘Grid domain’. We also present our experiences in developing a prototype CORBA CoG Kit that supports the development and deployment of CORBA applications on the Grid by providing them access to the Grid services provided by the Globus Toolkit. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A Virtual Reality Tool for Teleoperation Research

Efficiency in teleoperation systems is strongly affected by the relationship between the operator and the remote environment If the operator has access to easily comprehensible information, his capability for opportune decision making increases Virtual reality has been shown to be an effective means of displaying information to the human operator It allows the creation of three-dimensional and interactive environments, which can be explored and controlled in an intuitive way. In our system, called ASSET, we have applied virtual reality techniques in the design and implementation of a teleoperation system's human-machine interface. ASSET's objective was to create an object-oriented software framework for teleoperation systems development This tool allows flexible customizing and can be used as a test bed for evaluating interaction techniques, devices, simulation models and for research about autonomous agents.

High-Fidelity Simulation for Spacecraft Autonomy Development

To maximize the profitability of modern satellites, designers must invest their spacecraft with both capability and reliability. On-board, autonomous software holds the promise of greatly enhancing spacecraft abilities, yet software glitches have been directly to blame for recent, highly publicized failures. This paper presents the flight- software development framework created for the Generalized FLight Operations Processing Simulator (GFLOPS) testbed. Based upon a robust, commercial, real- time operating system, the methodology applies principles of object-oriented design to separate sub-system software functions into protected, quasi-independent modules. The flight software modules are coupled to simulation modules, which provide high-fidelity, real-time, representations of system hardware and dynamics. The GFLOPS approach provides tools and a methodology suitable for rapid flight software development. Since the basic implementation of the framework does not rely on any advanced techniques such as autonomy, it can be used in both conservative and aggressive engineering programs. Focus applications include an MIT-designed formation flying experiment (SPHERES) and a U.S. Air Force- funded distributed satellite mission (TechSat 21). continued on page 52

The Unified Software Development Process and Framework Development

Uygulama iskelet yapilari cok umut vaadeden bir yeniden kullanim yazilim teknolojisidir. Uygulama iskelet yapilarinin gelistirilmesi karmasik bir sureci gerektirir. Bu karmasik sureci minimize etmek amaciyla bircok yontem ve yaklasim onerilmistir. Birlesik Yazilim Gelistirme Sureci bugunku yazilim uygulamalarindaki karmasiklik engelini direkt olarak hedefleyen bir yontemdir. Bu yazida uygulama iskelet yapilarindaki karmasikligin yonetimi konusunda Birlesik Yazilim Gelistirme Sureci'nin rolu yaygin olarak kullanilan bir CASE (Bilgisayar Destekli Yazilim Muhendisligi) araci olan Rational Rose ile birlikte arastirilmaya calisilmistir.

The integrated approach and its applications

This paper suggests a systematic method for combining the ideas of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine into an integrated body of medical knowledge. Based on an analysis of the medical models in both systems, this essay proposes a definition of Ôthe integrated approachÕ, which is the black-box testing process of TCM augmented by white-box testing methods of Western medicine or the white-box testing method guided by overall functional testing. A mathematical model has also been proposed to quantify the method, and can be used as a framework for software development. We then outline an actual application of the integrated approach in the treatment of a severe case of kidney disease. It is demonstrated in this instance that either the white-box or black-box testing process is insufficient, and only by using the integrated approach of conventional Western medicine and TCM was the condition of the patient improved. Several possible extensions to this research have also been suggested in the paper.

Design ware: Software Development by Refinement

This paper presents a mechanizable framework for software development by refinement. The framework is based on a category of higher-order specifications. The key idea is representing knowledge about programming concepts, such as algorithm design, datatype refinement, and expression simplification, by means of taxonomies of specifications and morphisms.The framework is partially implemented in the research systems Specware, Design-ware, and Planware. Specware provides basic support for composing specifications and refinements via colimit, and for generating code via logic morphisms. Specware is intended to be general-purpose and has found use in industrial settings. Designware extends Specware with taxonomies of software design theories and support for constructing refinements from them. Planware builds on Designware to provide highly automated support for requirements acquisition and synthesis of high-performance scheduling algorithms.The work reported here is the result of extended collaboration with my colleagues at Kestrel Institute. I would particularly like to acknowledge the contributions of David Espinosa, LiMei Gilham, Junbo Liu, Duško Pavlović, and Stephen Westfold. This research has been partially supported by the US Air Force Research Lab, Rome NY, and by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.

A unified framework for the quality management of manufacturing systems software development

Software has become a principal component in today's advanced automated manufacturing systems. The ability to deliver software which satisfies the original requirements and expectations within budgeted time and cost is one of the major factors in determining the success of the project. While existing software engineering techniques are available for the effective design of complex software systems, much of the effort relies on a designers experience and intuition. The paper presents a unified framework that aims to quantify the software development process and to assist engineers to manage the development process such that not only the quality of the software produced is assured, but also is the development process. We illustrate the application of the framework for software development of a robotic Flexible Manufacturing Cell (FMC).

A Cognitive Model for Conceptual Change in Science Instruction with a Focus on Educational Software Development

In this article the authors introduce the Inventive Model as a theoretical base for science instruction and for software development in science education. The Inventive Model is a constructivistic approach to conceptual change. This model is presented as a response to the urgent need for a theoretical framework for software development in the area of conceptual understanding in science and mathematics. The model is based on the theoretical works of the pioneers in the field as well as the recent innovative/effective practices in science instruction. Some components of the model have been tested successfully in the past. However, the effectiveness of the whole model needs to be tested. Natural language understanding is a major limitation of computer-based instruction [1]. However, in this article it is shown how simple diagnostic tests, students' log files, and other advantages of computer assisted instruction (CAI) may compensate this limitation. In ongoing research the authors are developing an instructional multimedia program for conceptual change in physics based on the model. The multimedia program can be used individually, in small groups, or by the whole class under the teacher's guidance. Qualitative and quantitative comparisons between the individualized version of the multimedia program and the traditional physics instruction are the main goals of the ongoing research.

Scenario Development and Practical Decision Making under Uncertainty: Application to Requirements Engineering

In this paper, we address the question of how flesh and blood decision makers manage the combinatorial explosion in scenario development for decision making under uncertainty. The first assumption is that the decision makers try to undertake ‘robust’ actions. For the decision maker a robust action is an action that has sufficiently good results whatever the events are. We examine the psychological as well as the theoretical problems raised by the notion of robustness. Finally, we address the false feeling of decision makers who talk of ‘risk control’. We argue that ‘risk control’ results from the thinking that one can postpone action after nature moves. This ‘action postponement’ amounts to changing look-ahead reasoning into diagnosis. We illustrate these ideas in the framework of software development and examine some possible implications for requirements analysis.