CASE ( English computer-aided software engineering ) is a set of software engineering tools and methods for software design that helps to ensure high quality programs, no errors and ease of maintenance of software products. [1] Also, CASE means a set of methods and tools for designing information systems using CASE-tools [2] .
Software development automation tools (CASE-tools) - tools for automating the processes of designing and developing software for systems analyst , software developer and programmer . Initially, CASE-tools were understood only as tools to simplify the most time-consuming analysis and design processes, but with the advent of the ISO / IEC 14102 standard, CASE-tools began to be defined as software tools to support software life cycle processes [3] .
Content
General Information
The main purpose of CASE-technology is to distinguish between the process of designing software products from the coding process and the subsequent stages of development, to maximally automate the development process. To achieve this goal, CASE technologies use two fundamentally different approaches to design: structural and object-oriented.
The structural approach involves the decomposition (division) of the task to the functions that need to be automated. In turn, the functions are also divided into subfunctions, tasks, procedures. The result is an ordered hierarchy of functions and information transferred between functions.
The structural approach implies the use of certain generally accepted methodologies for modeling various information systems:
- SADT (structured analysis and design technique);
- DFD (data flow diagrams);
- ERD (entity-relationship diagrams).
There are three main types of models used in the structural approach: functional, informational and structural.
The main tool of the object-oriented approach is the UML language - a unified modeling language, which is designed to visualize and document object-oriented systems with a focus on software development. This language includes a system of various diagrams on the basis of which an idea of the designed system can be built.
Classification
CASE functions include tools for analyzing, designing and programming software, designing interfaces, documenting and producing structured code in a programming language. [four]
CASE-tools are classified by type and category.
The classification by type reflects the functional orientation of the funds to certain processes of the software development life cycle, and basically coincides with the component composition of large integrated CASE-systems, and includes the following types:
- analysis tools - designed to build and analyze a domain model;
- database design tools ;
- application development tools;
- process reengineering tools;
- project planning and management tools;
- testing tools;
- means of documentation.
Categorization by categories determines the degree of integration by function and includes — individual local tools that solve small autonomous tasks, a set of partially integrated tools covering most stages of the life cycle and fully integrated tools covering the entire life cycle of an information system and connected to a common repository.
Typical CASE tools are:
- configuration management tools;
- data modeling tools;
- analysis and design tools;
- model conversion tools;
- code editing tools;
- code refactoring tools;
- code generators;
- tools for building UML diagrams.
Notes
- ↑ Kuhn, DL (1989) Selecting and effectively using a computer software engineering tool. Annual Westinghouse computer symposium; 6-7 Nov 1989; Pittsburgh, PA (USA); DOE Project.
- ↑ P. Loucopoulus, V. Karakostas. System Requirement Engineering.
- ↑ Odintsov, 2004 , p. 370-371.
- ↑ CASE Archived February 18, 2012. in the Telecom Glossary 2000 dictionary
Literature
- Odintsov I. O. Professional programming. Systems approach. - 2nd ed .. - SPb. : BHV-Petersburg, 2004. - 624 p. - ISBN 5-94157-457-6 .
- Kulikov G.G. Nabatov A.N. Rechkalov A.V. Computer-aided design information management systems. System modeling of the subject area .. - Ufa: Ufa State Aviation Technical University, 1998. - 104 p. - ISBN 5-89611-190-0 .
Links
- CASE technology description on citforum.ru