Systems Analysis and Design 9th Edition

Toolkit BCASE ToolsBy: Prof. Lili Saghafi

Toolkit Objectives

• Explain CASE tools and the concept of a CASE environment

• Trace the history of CASE tools and their role in a fourth-generation environment

• Define CASE terms and concepts, including a repository, modeling tools, documentation tools, engineering tools, and construction tools

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Toolkit Objectives

• Explain an integrated development environment

• Provide examples of CASE tool features• Describe CASE tool trends, and how they

relate to object-oriented analysis and agile methods

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Introduction

• Computer-aided systems engineering (CASE), also called computer-aided software engineering, is a technique that uses powerful software, called CASE tools

• In addition, you will learn about integrated software development environments

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Overview of CASE Tools

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Overview of CASE Tools

• CASE Tools History– Modern languages – non-procedural or event-

driven– Object-oriented programming languages (OOPL)– Fourth-generation languages (4GLs)– Fourth-generation environment

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Overview of CASE Tools

• The Marketplace for CASE Tools

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CASE Terms and Concepts

• A typical CASE tool is actually a set of individual tools that share a repository of information

• Repository– When you define a data element in the repository,

you can assign a data type and format, a range of acceptable values, and one or more aliases

– Alias

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CASE Terms and Concepts

• Individual Tools– Modeling tools– Documentation tools– Engineering tools

• Forward engineering• Reverse engineering

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CASE Terms and Concepts

• Individual Tools– Construction tools

• Application generator – code generator

• Screen generator – form painter

• Report generator – report writer

• Mock-up report

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Integrated Development Environments

• Integrated development environment (IDE)• Examples of Integrated Development

Environments

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Integrated Development Environments

• Pros and Cons of Integrated Development Tools– Is highly effective because it is an integral part of

the vendor’s software package– The only possible disadvantage is that each IDE is

different and requires a learning curve and skills that might or might not be readily transferable

– CASE tools can be used in any development environment

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CASE Tool Examples

• You can choose from dozens of vendors and CASE tools that offer a wide range of functions

• Three leading CASE tool suppliers: Visible Systems Corporation, Telelogic Software, and Rational Software

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CASE Tool Examples

• Visible Analyst– Visible Systems Corporation is an important player

in the software development market– Also provides a full range of Help features,

including the error message analysis screen

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CASE Tool Examples

• Rational Software– IBM offers many systems development and

modeling products, including a powerful tool called Rational System Architect

– Stresses modeling and collaboration, and is a suite of tools that can align processes, information, and technologies

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CASE Tool Trends

• New Products and Features– Offer more features and greater flexibility– Framework– Zachman Framework– Framework Manager

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CASE Tool Trends

• New Products and Features– Another trend is the increasing use of integrated

development environments– An IDE typically includes built-in tools such as real-

time error detection, syntax hints, highlighted code, class browsers, and version control

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CASE Tool Trends

• Method-Specific CASE Tools– Structured analysis– Object-oriented analysis

and design (OOAD)– The most recent trend is

the popularity of agile methods

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Toolkit Summary

• CASE tools are software programs that system developers use to help them design and construct information systems

• A repository is a database that serves as a central storage location for all information about the system being developed

• An integrated set of CASE tools can be used to model, document, engineer, and construct the information system

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Toolkit Summary

• Forward engineering means translating business processes and functions into applications

• A CASE tool can handle many program development tasks

• Two trends seem clear: CASE tool vendors will continue to include powerful new features, and the popularity of object-oriented tools will continue to grow

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Toolkit Summary

• Toolkit B complete

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