A unified formal basis for the CASE tools system

XYZ system is a CASE tools system based on a temporal logic language XYZ/E which can represent every essential feature of conventional HLL's (sequential or concurrent), specifications of different levels, production rules, operational semantics of graphic languages in a uniform framework. With this formal language as the common basis, all the CASE tools including various kinds of graphic tools for distributed process, concurrent programs with phased memory and sequential programs, tools for verification, rapid-prototyping, language transformation, and module management can be connected freely to form more sophisticated and integrated systems.     

Executable specifications with data-flow diagrams

Specifications of information systems applications are often based on the use of entity-relationship (ER) and data-flow diagrams (DFD), which cover, respectively, the conceptual modelling of data and funtions. This paper introduces VLP: an executable visual language for formal specifications and prototyping which integrates ER and DFD diagrams in a semantically rigorous and clear way. Unlike existing commercial products (so-called CASE tools), which can support good-quality documentation, simple forms of consistency checking and bookkeeping, VLP also supports executable specifications, which provide a prototype of the desired application. After reviewing the principles of VLP, the paper outlines the structure of the ECASET environment in which VLP is embedded. In particular, it shows how the environment supports the stepwise derivation of specifications, from informal to formal, and how it supports specification-in-the-large.     

面向原型的软件开发环境

本文介绍面向原型的软件开发过程模型，及基于该模型的软件支持库结构、用户界面管理系统、数据箱管理系统，和面向原型软件开发环境（软件界面和数据箱柔性生成系统）的主要工具     

Program complexity using Hierarchical Abstract Computers

A model of program complexity is introduced which combines structural control flow measures with data flow measures. This complexity measure is based upon the prime program decomposition of a program written for a Hierarchical Abstract Computer. It is shown that this measure is consistent with the ideas of information hiding and data abstraction. Because this measure is sensitive to the linear form of a program, it can be used to measure different concrete representations of the same algorithm, as in a structured and an unstructured version of the same program. Application of the measure as a model of system complexity is given for “upstream” processes (e.g. specification and design phases) where there is no source program to measure by other techniques.     

Experimental evaluation of software development tools for safety-critical real-time systems

Since the early years of computing, programmers, systems analysts, and software engineers have sought ways to improve development process efficiency. Software development tools are programs that help developers create other programs and automate mundane operations while bringing the level of abstraction closer to the application engineer. In practice, software development tools have been in wide use among safety-critical system developers. Typical application areas include space, aviation, automotive, nuclear, railroad, medical, and military. While their use is widespread in safety-critical systems, the tools do not always assure the safe behavior of their respective products. This study examines the assumptions, practices, and criteria for assessing software development tools for building safety-critical real-time systems. Experiments were designed for an avionics testbed and conducted on six industry-strength tools to assess their functionality, usability, efficiency, and traceability. The results some light on possible improvements in the tool evaluation process that can lead to potential tool qualification for safety-critical real-time systems.     

Market research for requirements analysis using linguistic tools

Numerous studies in recent months have proposed the use of linguistic instruments to support requirements analysis. There are two main reasons for this: (i) the progress made in natural language processing and (ii) the need to provide the developers of software systems with support in the early phases of requirements definition and conceptual modelling. This paper presents the results of an online market research intended (a) to assess the economic advantages of developing a CASE (computer-aided software engineering) tool that integrates linguistic analysis techniques for documents written in natural language, and (b) to verify the existence of the potential demand for such a tool. The research included a study of the language – ranging from completely natural to highly restricted – used in documents available for requirements analysis, an important factor given that on a technological level there is a trade-off between the language used and the performance of the linguistic instruments. To determine the potential demand for such tool, some of the survey questions dealt with the adoption of development methodologies and consequently with models and support tools; other questions referred to activities deemed critical by the companies involved. Through statistical correspondence analysis of the responses, we were able to outline two profiles of companies that correspond to two potential market niches, which are characterised by their very different approach to software development.

基于特性的软件需求管理工具的研究与应用

需求管理是软件项目管理的一项重要任务。需求管理的目标是管理和控制需求,维护软件计划、产品和活动与需求的一致性,并保证用户的需求最终得到实现。近年来,市场上出现了一些辅助进行需求管理的软件工具,但那些产品总的来说都价格昂贵且不易部署和使用。文中将从需求管理的理论入手,抓住需求管理的关键问题,在容易获取的基础软件平台上实现了一个需求管理辅助工具——WSSRMS,实际项目的应用表明该工具实用、有效。     

软件开发过程及其模型（Ⅱ）

论题的第一部分,即文“软件开发过程及其模型（Ⅱ）”重点分析了瀑布模型和快速原型,本文为第二部分,继之讨论渐增式模型,螺旋模型,重用模型,自动综合模型,基于ＣＡＳＥ的模型,喷泉模型以及其它有前途的,有影响的新模型。综合两部分的内容,我们希望在不列几个方面有所贡献：１）帮助实践者选择合适的过程模型;２）作为各种不同模型参照对比的一种框架;３）帮助研究者开发新的模型;４）对软件过程及其模型的认识;５）引     

Transforming information systems development through computer-aided systems engineering (CASE): lessons from practice

In dealing with the challenges posed by the ongoing problem of developing and integrating an evermore complex and diverse range of information systems in a timely manner, practitioners continue to grapple with important issues such as increasing developer productivity and bringing quality improvements to the process and product of systems development. Many organizations have adopted computer‐aided systems engineering (CASE) tools with such outcomes in mind. With few exceptions, previous research into the phenomenon of CASE adoption and use has been survey based in the main, and has resulted in some confusion over the benefits to be derived from the use of CASE tools within the systems development process. This paper extends previous work as part of an interpretive, case‐based research strategy to examine the adoption and use of integrated CASE (I‐CASE) in a single organization. Such an approach facilitates a deeper understanding of the impact that CASE exerts on the process and product of systems development. Based on the experience of practitioners in the organization studied, a set of recommendations is presented. The findings of this study also lend support to the view that an I‐CASE development platform does indeed have the potential to exert a positive impact on the development process and its product.     

冲裁模具CAD／CAM系统集成开发平台的研究

基于ＣＡＳＥ（ＣｏｍｐｕｔｅｒＡｉｄｅｄＳｏｆｔｗａｒｅＥｎｇｉｎｅｅｒｉｎｇ）技术原理和冲裁模设计与制造过程的特点以及ＣＡＤ技术原理，提出一种面向中小型模具企业和科研单位的冲裁模ＣＡＤ／ＣＡＭ系统集成开发平台。论述了平台的设计要求、体系结构和工作流程。并指出实现平台的关键技术问题。