A database representation that improves automation and maintains consistency in a multiple view environment

Abstract

The paper presents an approach to information representation that takes advantage of the incremental nature of software development to facilitate automation. Software is developed in stages where input to a stage is highly dependent on the stage that precedes it. A canonical database representation that is shared by the development tools is presented. It aims at the provision of maximum automated services in the development process. At the same time ensuring the consistency of design information and avoiding its redundancy, and yet providing an open environment in which new tools and services can be incorporated with no effect on existing ones. Experiments are carried out to examine the usefulness of the representation to store the artifacts of a system under development and its suitability in achieving automation in the development process. Similar work carried out by researchers in the field and a number of commercially available tools are analyzed.