Data processing: software development – installation – and managem – Software program development tool – Translation of code
Reexamination Certificate
1997-03-07
2001-04-03
Powell, Mark R. (Department: 2122)
Data processing: software development, installation, and managem
Software program development tool
Translation of code
Reexamination Certificate
active
06212672
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A recognized problem in the field of software development is error in translation from specified requirements to a working program. According to one software development model, a written specification which describes planned behavior for the program is created prior to beginning development of any software code. The specification is meant to be used by software engineers as a guide when writing the code so that the program functions as planned. However, because the specification may be inaccurate, incomplete and describe a poor design, and because the software engineers may fail to precisely follow the specification during development, the resulting program may differ from the planned program. If the differences are significant enough, the program may have to be rewritten or otherwise altered. As a result, development time and development costs are increased.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A software development tool which utilizes an intermediate object modeling language is disclosed. The structure of the desired program is first described graphically by generating rule diagrams, state diagrams, and object diagrams such as user interface diagrams, event diagrams and other object diagrams. The development tool employs the diagrams to generate a working model of the program expressed in the object modeling language. The working model of the program can be executed without lengthy compiling, and hence program behavior can be quickly observed and tested. Further, the behavior of the working model can be quickly and easily changed by modifying the diagrams until the desired result is achieved. Source code is then generated from the object modeling language and compiled to create the final program.
Classes and associations which inter-relate classes are employed as fundamental constructs in the diagrams and object modeling language. No distinction is drawn between classes and instances. This trait is desirable, for example, when an analyst discovers that an object classified as an instance actually has several occurrences, each possibly with different characteristics. It is desirable in such an event to directly subclass that object rather than create a new class that captures the characteristics of the object in general and reclassify the object as an instance of that new class.
One advantage provided by the development tool is direct development and implementation of program specifications. The diagrams facilitate development of a program specification or “business model” for the program by visually organizing and representing real world systems in an intuitive manner. Hence, the program specification may be directly developed diagrammatically. Further, since the tool employs the diagrams to create source code, human errors in translating the specification to code are eliminated.
Another advantage provided by the development tool is speedy implementation of modifications during development. Known development environments typically require implementing changes in source code and then compiling the source code to create a working program that can be tested to determine whether the changes produce the desired result. By contrast, the modeling language of the present development tool is automatically modified to reflect changes in the diagrams and can be directly executed without lengthy compilation. As a result, program changes can be implemented and observed in a shorter amount of time.
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Gorzela Richard
Holt James
Hughes David
Keller Steven
Strom Daniel
Dynamics Research Corporation
Ingberg Todd
Powell Mark R.
Weingarten, Schurgin Gagnebin & Hayes LLP
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