NOODLE++: a 3 Dimensional Net-based Object-orientated Development Model

HKU CS Tech Report TR-95-04Object-oriented analysis and design methodologies are considered as the most popular software development methods for the 1990s. A common drawback, however, is that they have been developed informally. There is no theoretical framework enabling us to define precisely the object-oriented concepts involved, to solve concurrency problems, and to verify the correctness of the implementation. We propose a 3-dimensional net structure behind object-oriented software development. This structure consolidates the concepts of classes, inheritance, overloading and message passing through a single model. Inheritance and overloading can be unified with message passing in a 3-dimensional representation, but are physically differentiable by occupying the vertical and horizontal planes,respectively, of the model. Furthermore, the formal model can be mapped to various object-oriented analysis and design notations. The theoretical framework can thus be adopted for systems validation and verification for existing methodologies. The liveness and consistencies of objects can be verified, and inheritance and interaction coupling can be identified and checked.preprintThis research is supported in part by a grant of the Research Grants Council

Semantics-driven dataflow diagram processing.

Dataflow diagram is a commonly used tool of structured analysis and design techniques in specifications and design of a software system, and in analysis of an existing system as well. While automatic generating dataflow diagram saves system designers from tedious drawing and help them develop a new system, simulating dataflow diagrams provides system analysts with a dynamic graph and help them understand an existing system. CASE tools for dataflow diagrams play an important role in software engineering. Methodologies applied to the tools are dominant issues extensively evaluated by tools designers. Executable specifications with dataflow diagrams turn out an opportunity to execute graphic dataflow diagrams for systems analysts to simulate the behavior of a system. In this thesis, a syntax representation of dataflow diagram was developed, and a formal specification for dataflow diagram was established. A parser of this developed CASE tool translates the syntax representation of DFDs into their semantic representation. An interpreter of this tool then analyzes the DFDs semantic notations and builds a set of services of a system represented by the DFDs. This CASE tool can be used to simulate system behavior, check equivalence of two systems and detect deadlock. Based on its features, this tool can be used in every phase through entire software life cycle. Paper copy at Leddy Library: Theses & Major Papers - Basement, West Bldg. / Call Number: Thesis1998 .Z46. Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 39-02, page: 0535. Adviser: Indra A. Tjandra. Thesis (M.Sc.)--University of Windsor (Canada), 1998

Towards a Formal Foundation for DeMarco Data Flow Diagrams

In this paper, we describe a proposal for formalizing data flow diagrams through extended Petri nets. We illustrate the usefulness of the approach by describing how it can be used to analyse the consistency of requirements specifications

Quantitative functional complexity analysis of commercial software systems

Digitisation of this thesis was sponsored by Arcadia Fund, a charitable fund of Lisbet Rausing and Peter Baldwin

Software development, CASE tools and 4GLs—A survey of New Zealand usage. Part 1: 750 New Zealand organisations

This paper reports the results of a recent national survey which considered the use of CASE tools and 4GLs in commercial software development. Responses from just over 750 organisations show a high degree of product penetration, along with extensive use of package solutions. Use of 3GLs in general, and of COBOL in particular, is still relatively widespread, however. In terms of systems analysis and design techniques under a CASE/4GL environment, screen and report definition is the most preferred technique, although both dataflow analysis and data modelling also feature strongly.UnpublishedBotica, A., “Number Eight Style is Strength”, Computerworld New Zealand, 27 July 1987, pp. 21-31. Burkhard, D.L. and Jenster, P.V., “Applications of Computer-Aided Software Engineering Tools: Survey of Current and Prospective Users”, ACM SIGBDP Data Base, Fall 1989, pp. 28-37. Chen, M. and Norman, R.J., “A Framework for Integrated CASE”, IEEE Software, March 1992, pp. 18-22. CIS, CASE Project - Report on Computer Aided Software Engineering in New Zealand. Case Study Report, Center for Information Science, University of Auckland, May 1989. Gray, R.H.M., Carey, B.N., McGlynn, N.A. and Pengelly, A. D., “Design Metrics for Database Systems”, BT Technology Journal 9 (4), October 1991, pp. 69-79. Huff, C.C., “Elements of a Realistic CASE Tool Adoption Budget”, Communications of the ACM 35 (4), April 1992, pp. 45-54. Jones, R., “A Quantum Leap in Languages: Major Gains in Using 4GLs”, Computerworld New Zealand, 31 October 1988, pp. 18-19. Keuffel, W., “Transformation Strategies”, Computer Language (USA), October 1991, pp. 35-42. King, S.F., “Making CASE Work”. Unpublished Research Proposal, Advanced Technology Centre, University of Warwick, Coventry, April 1992. Kolodziej, S., “Fighting the 4GL Identity Crisis”, Computerworld New Zealand, 14 November 1988, pp. 32-34. Maria, A., “CASE Technology: Today’s Reality”, Journal of Systems Management, February 1991, pp. 18, 26. McAulay, K., “Information Systems Development and the Changing Role of MIS in the Organisation”, Proceedings, 1st New Zealand MIS Management Conference, Wellington/Auckland, March 1987, pp. S1.1-S1.16. Norman, R.J. and Chen, M., “Working Together to Integrate CASE (Guest Editors’ Introduction)”, IEEE Software, March 1992, pp. 13-16. Pacific Reporter, “4GL Sales Hype Baffles Aussie Users”, Computerworld New Zealand, 1 June 1987, p. 6. Philipson, G. (ed.), MIS 2000 . Strategic Publishing Group, Sydney, 1993. Pressman, R.S., Software Engineering: A Practitioner’s Approach. McGraw-Hill (3rd ed.), New York, 1992. Stamps, D., “CASE vs. 4GLs”, Datamation, 15 August 1989, pp. 29-32. Tate, G., Verner, J. and Jeffery, R., “CASE: A Testbed for Modeling, Measurement and Management”, Communications of the ACM 35 (4), April 1992, pp. 65-72. Tse, T.H. and Pong, L., “Towards a Formal Foundation for DeMarco Data Flow Diagrams”, The Computer Journal 32 (1), 1989, pp. 1-11. Vessey, I., Jarvenpaa, S.L. and Tractinsky, N., “Evaluation of Vendor Products: CASE Tools as Methodology Companions”, Communications of the ACM 35 (4), April 1992, pp. 90-105