2B: CASE tools Flashcards
what does CASE stand for
computer aided software engineering tools
function of CASE tools
assist and coordinate the activities in the process of software development
what counts as a CASE tool
any software tool that is used to assist developers
examples + function of CASE tools
- drawing programs: dataflow diagrams + flowcharts
- text processors: for documentation
- complex CASE tools for larger systems
functions of CASE tools
- system modelling
- data dictionary creation
- production of documentation
- automatic test data generation
- software versioning
- production of source code
are IDEs CASE tools?
lol no
CASE tools: software versions
- helps keep track of version numbers
- SCM(software config management): management of changes through a central body for tracking, checking, documenting
CASE tools: data dictionary
- allows up to date data dictionary
- good for large projects + complex data
CASE tools: test data
- generates test data, lots of it
- file comparator can compare 2 files
CASE tools: production of documentation
- produces documentation at the same time software is produced
- graphical e.g. adobe illustrator, create, Gsharp
- document-oriented based e.g. ALDA, docbuilder, lifeCDM
examples of CASE tools
- Oracle Designer
- AxiomSys
- DataFactory
meaning of installation/conversion
installation: introducing + implementing a new software product
conversion: when installation involves conversion from an old system to the new system it’s designed to replace
methods of installation(conversion)
- direct cut-over
- parallel
- phased
- pilot
direct cut-over method
old system deleted, new system installed
direct cut-over characteristics
- old system no longer available
- must be sure new system completely functional
- used when it is impossible for two systems to operate together
- data must be converted + imported, users must be trained to use new system
parallel method
involved operating both systems together for a period, so major problems can be corrected without loss of data
parallel method characteristics
- allows users to learn system
- old system = operational backup
- after new system meets requirements old system is deleted
- double the workload; all functions on both old + new systems
what is parallel useful for
when product is of a crucial nature, meaning there would be dire consequences if it were to fail
- old system continuation = protect crucial data
parallel method: developer’s pov
parallel = old + new system operating same time, different sites
- each individual site uses direct cut-over method
- commonly used with large customer base
- devs must support previous versions of product until conversion = complete
phased method meaning
involves gradual introduction of the new system whilst the old system is progressively discarded
- done through: introducing new parts of product, replacing old parts
when is phased method used
when new product is still under development
- completed modules released when available
- makes conversion more manageable
pilot method meaning
new system installed for small number of users, who learn + test + evaluate product; if good, system is installed
- can be seen as final testing of a product
pilot method uses
- good for new products: testing in operational setting
- users who are testers can teach other users how to use program
- dev + customer both evaluate product in functional environment before full installation
