Computer-Aided Software Engineering - Essay Example

Case Tools Computer-aided software engineering (CASE) is the science-based application of tools and techniques to a software system which is purposed to bring about software products that lack any defects, and can be maintained, and that are of high quality. It can also be referred to as techniques for the progression of information systems collectively with tools which are automated and that can be utilized in the process of software development. CASE tools on the other hand are a set of software that makes a number of the actions in a variety of life-cycle phases automatic. Visible analyst case tool Key Features of Visible Analyst tool include the following; *Team work or team collaboration is enabled by the Multi-user concurrent access. *The visible analyst tool has a planning system that is strategic. *Visible exclusive technology develops specifications for database view as one is carrying out data modeling - tracking changes of names to all procedure and location in which they are being made use of, doing away with errors as the model changes. *This tool has the capabilities of importing or exporting Erwin file. *The visual analyst has an elegant reverse engineering - Reverse engineering has the duty of analyzing databases which have been inherited, and finding associations that are not specifically described to the database. It also allows the tool to deduce associations where none is described. *Object Browser. It permits simple exploitation and navigation of every entity, characteristics and associations in the repository. *It has the models for web publishing which are essential for splitting across the Internet with ordinary JPEG and HTML formats. *Offers support to on-the-fly data models denormalization for an improved physical database designs that are performing (and at the same time maintaining your logical data model for business). *The visible analyst also has technical support and updates that last for 1 year. Visible analyst is an absolute tool for enterprise engineering with amenities for data modeling, premeditated planning, process and object modeling. It offers advanced capabilities to database administrators, Enterprise Architects, and Data Modelers at a considerably lower price than any of its competitors. It offers a general, incorporated platform and user interface for all purposes of software design. These functions might be object-oriented, prearranged and entity association. In the visible analyst CASE tool, documentation and citations run involuntarily from the modeling drawings into the centre-based repository, together with all the information that the user enters. Visible analyst allows real enterprise application engineering by articulating and keeping store of data, requirements for business, processes, and objects that are able to be shared by those who develop applications all through an organization. As a result of this, one can easily blueprint and manage enterprise software for excellence, constantly, and reusability in applications meant for business through the controlled sharing of meta-data. A case repository: The extensible repository of the visible analyst stores the general known facts about the data, objects and processes that can be split all through an organization, rendering it greater than tools which are file-based. It makes sure that data flows consistently and without fail, which is particularly essential where a number of systems require similar data. A case repository is the representation and illustration, in data form, of appropriate information about the system under progression, in a regular, entire form which is self-sufficient of its entry mode and alteration or successive use. It is a “no loss” representation of the system that is being described. The function of a CASE repository is to; offer a place to incorporate, store and uphold data regarding a system and its related processing, to offer the ordinary facilities to manage this resource, and to offer a “No Loss” interaction between tools, across time and among groups. For an organization that needs an application development system that is networked and that is multi-user, then the Visible Analyst has an edition that meets its obligations. These include: The enterprise framework edition, the standard edition and the corporate edition. Forward engineering features; Forward engineering is made possible through the ODBC. Visible analyst allows the schema generation and reverse engineering of well data-bases of desktop and client. These include Oracle, Informix, and SQL server. There is a possibility of one connecting directly to the intended database through drivers that are conventional with the Open data base connectivity of Microsoft. Client applications which are of quality can be expanded with support for user defined types of data (domains). Other elements that can develop these client applications include primary keys, procedures which have been stored, and foreign essential referential integrity constraints on databases that are applicable. The visible analyst tool can identify and import data-base views which are “intellectual”, and, without including adjustment, creates views for databases that have been targeted. Modeling tools; the visible analyst functions efficiently with other tools that are used for development. There is a possibility of models being exported from and imported to Erwin. Code can be produced directly from the meta-data model which has PowerBuilder and other visual basic supporting development tools. Visible analyst routinely denormalizes associations when data schema is being produced from data models that are detachments of business models that are rational. This does not only work towards saving important resources and time in the building of data models and running of database inquiries, but also towards enhancing the performance of a substantial designs of database. Construction tools: Visible analyst integrates aspects that bring adequate improvement to physical designs of database. These features include; physical database traits that are specified for the user, energetic correction of ERD (Entity Relationship Diagram) syntax, data model denormalization which is in-built, and harmonization of cascaded foreign keys which are automatic. It supports documentation of Information Engineering (IE) data modeling, plus offers theoretical, physical and logical models of data. It automatically produces data models and Entity Relationship Diagrams connected to an exacting process (www.dsmforum.org). Pricing The Pricing of visible analyst tool, without the cost of maintenance being included is $995. Visual paradigm (http://www.visual-paradigm.com) The Visual paradigm tool is devoted to the ongoing delivery of corporations, software and services to assist clients with accurate transformation of system requirements into software solutions that are of quality with minor risk. It is a visual modeling tool for every kind of Unified modeling language diagrams. It offers support for broad database design. It also conveys more efficient efforts on design and analysis of system. This tool supports necessities management which is inclusive of the use of cases and textual study. It supports both the ERD (Entity Relationship Diagrams) which are used to form the relational database, and the ORMD (Object Relational Mapping Diagrams) which is one of the tools that are used to illustrate the mapping between relational database and entity world. This tool is devised for a broad range of clients including system and business analysts, software engineers and system architects. It is also designed for those who are concerned with the reliable building of large scale software systems by means of an approach which is object-oriented. Repository; Visual paradigm Teamwork server keeps every account of alterations of diagrams and model elements. With the Visual paradigm teamwork, one can evaluate and carry out a comparison of histories of model element and precise diagram visually using the “Revision History function”. One also has the possibility of exporting and opening full projects of older revisions. During update or commit, this tool combines changes from team members who are unlike. In a case where two or more members of a team have adjusted similar model element, and executed update or commit continuously, the merge engine will sense that there exists a conflict, and ask to solve the detected conflict. These conflicts can be solved by revert (keep server change) or, alternatively, by overwrite (keep local change). (http://www.visual-paradigm.com) Image of the visual paradigm teamwork server Modeling tools; adjustments were made to modeling, database modeling and code engineering. This was done by the inclusion of features that support bookmarking shapes and diagrams and batch processing via running operations on the command-line. Other relevant features include skipping onto a diagram through the jump to dialog box and sequence diagram improvements. Visual Paradigm brings in an interface called the resource-centric modeling interface. This interface gives rise to the overall productivity, and also brings a lot of enthusiasm when it comes to diagramming. The visual paradigm tool offers two forms of modeling, these are; the UML modeling and the SysML modeling. The UML helps in the designing of a software system and interaction between members of a team. The SysML on the other hand supports to modeling need for analyzing, stipulating, validating, and designing systems. Construction tools; The visual paradigm specifies and analyzes the requirements of a system by drawing requirement diagram. The needs of a user can be documented in detail. Furthermore, the ways through which the requirements can be tested are well defined by the visual paradigm tools. This tool makes it possible for a user to relate requirements using proper connectors. The mechanism of the visual paradigm allows one to add other functions to it by developing plug-ins. A user can query and verify the model, such as to create, read, delete and upgrade the elements of a model and diagrams. Forward engineering feature; When the data schema is being generated, the program permits the client to choose objects that will be generated. The dialog box below symbolizes object list. Choosing the essential objects includes them to the list that will be generated. If one picks a group of objects or clears this collection, the subsequent operation will be applied to the sub tree. To proceed down to the sub-tree, one has to select on a particular group of objects. In many cases, there are always small boxes with either plus or a minus signs inside them. Clicking on a plus sign shows the sub-tree below the group name, and clicking on the minus sign hides the sub-tree. When one clicks on the plus sign, a minus sign will appear in place of the minus sign and vise versa. Pricing When it comes to pricing of a single seat license, the visual paradigm-UML modeler edition goes for a unit price of $99.0, or a unit price of $118.5 with a 1-year maintenance cost which is 20% of the actual unit price. When it comes to the pricing of a floating license, the VP-UML ME goes for a unit price of $128.5, and unit price of $154.0 with 1-year maintenance. When it comes to Software maintenance which has an extension of 1-year maintenance, a single seat license costs $19.5 and a floating license goes for $25.5. Visual paradigm for UML, which is the overall product for software development, costs $1,399.0 without the costs for maintenance being included. Pros of the visual paradigm tool *In a big company, where strong business interactions among the people is essential for a flourishing delivery of projects that are of quality, the verified teaming approach of the visual paradigm ascertains that one is able to convey work with work which are of the best quality. This is without regards to the team members’ location and the team size. *When it comes to drawing and imagery, Visual paradigm offers a more fascinating approach. *This Visual paradigm UML offers support to UML notations of the latest standards. * Visual paradigm has easy diagramming. This tool contains minute but tremendously valuable tools that come to offer rescue when it comes to working with diagrams. *Visual paradigm also has tough incorporation capability. It enables one to export a particular design to most important formats, like the PDF, particularly for those lacking the software for modeling. *It offers an understandable modular structure for programs thus making it excellent for defining data types which are nonfigurative, where details on the application are concealed and the unit has an interface that is clearly identified and described. * Visual paradigm also makes the maintenance and modification of existing codes easy. This is so because; fresh objects can be generated or created with minute dissimilarities to the already existing ones. * The other element that makes visual paradigm good is both its breath of features and ease of its usability. For instance, the textual analysis tool, offers a high-level manner of identification of behavior. * This tool offers an excellent for code libraries where software constituents that have been supplied can be adopted with ease and adjusted by the programmer. This is principally essential for development of user interfaces that are graphical. *When it comes to online tutorials of the Visual Paradigms, every need of clients are addressed in a manner that is helpful, informative and on point. Pros of the visible analyst tool I would choose the VISIBLE ANALSYT TOOL over the visual paradigm tool. *Visible analyst offers graphical analysis and design for prearranged, object and data modeling. I t also provides construction in a solitary easy-to-use and affordable package. * Visible analyst also has tactical corporations with publishers that are well known and influential. * Another advantage it has over the visual paradigm tool is its ability to transfer technology to ‘true’ world effectively. *The repository of the visible analyst stores up data, objects and processes that can be split all through a project, thus making it a lot more powerful than tools which are file-based. * According to Larry Andrew of the state university of Western Illinois, visible analyst permits students acquire hands-on modeling familiarity with a somber application tool for development. * On e of the cons of the visible analyst tool is that most of its student version online tutorials lack sample projects. Personal preference If I was to make a selection, I would choose the Visual paradigm tool. This is because of the object and diagram-oriented technique of dealing and interacting with software. Based on the online tutorials, visual paradigm is better than the visible analyst tool because the online tutorials come handy with relevant project examples that make it easier for one to understand the tools. When it comes to team work approach of delivering quality work, visual paradigm comes in handy. The Visual paradigm teamwork enables one to assess and accomplish a comparison of past model element and precise diagram visually using the “Revision History function”. It also makes it possible for one to export and open full projects of older revisions. Furthermore, the visual paradigm is easier to use and understand as compared to the visible analyst tool. Visible analyst tool Visual paradigm tool Online tutorial. Most of the online tutorials for the visibility analyst tool lack projects which shed more light on the available information in the internet. For visual paradigm, online tutorials come in handy with relevant projects that make it easier to comprehend. Ease of learning. The visible analyst is not so easy to learn as it is not a much object-oriented CASE tool The nature of the visual paradigm tool as being object-oriented and full of imagery makes it interesting and easier to learn. Overall look and feel. Not very attractive because it contains more complex diagrams that the VB tool thus rendering it difficult to cope with, especially for learners. The overall look and feel of the VP tool is better than that of the visible analyst because of its diagrammatic and imagery nature. References Computer Aided Software Engineering | Analysis and Design. (n.d.). Select Business Solutions – Mainframe Reporting and Application Development Tools. Retrieved November 14, 2012, from http://www.selectbs.com/analysis-and-design/computer-aided-software engineering- case-tool Amazon.com: Visual Tools for Constructing Knowledge (9780871202666): David Hyerle: Books. (n.d.). Amazon.com: Online Shopping for Electronics, Apparel, Computers, Books, DVDs & more. Retrieved November 17, 2012, from www.amazon.com/Visual-Tools-Constructing- Knowledge-Hyerle/dp/0871202662 Free UML Tool with full UML, ERD and SysML Supports. (n.d.). UML, BPMN and Database Tool for Software Development. Retrieved November 17, 2012, from http://www.visual-paradigm.com/product/vpuml/editions Visual Tools for Constructing Knowledge. (n.d.). The University of West Georgia. Retrieved November 17, 2012, from http://www.westga.edu/~jdbutler/ClassNotes/VisualTools.html Free Case Tool Visible Analyst Downloads: Metamill by Metamill Software, OO-Structure Maker by DLL Designer Team and More. (n.d.). FileGuru.Com Your One Stop Shop For Great Software Downloads. 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