01935460

j

01935460 Wieringa, Roel A survey of structured and object-oriented software specification methods and techniques. ACM Comput. Surv. 30, No. 4, 459-527 (1998). 1998 Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), New York, NY EN D.2.1 D.2.2 D.2.2 design

doi:10.1145/299917.299919

Summary: \Beginpar{}{}{}This article surveys techniques used in structured and object-oriented software specification methods. The techniques are classified as techniques for the specification of external interaction and internal decomposition. The external specification techniques are further subdivided into techniques for the specification of functions, behavior, and communication. After surveying the techniques, we summarize the way they are used in structured and object-oriented methods and indicate ways in which they can be combined. This article ends with a plea for simplicity in diagram techniques and for the use of formal semantics to define these techniques. The appendices show how the reviewed techniques are used in 6 structured and 19 object-oriented specification methods.\Endpar (Provider: ACM) Review: \SGMPbeginExtract \Beginpar{}{}{}This article surveys techniques used in structured and object-oriented software specification methods. The techniques are classified as techniques for the specification of external interaction and internal decomposition. The external interaction specification techniques are further subdivided into techniques for the specification of functions, behavior, and communication. After surveying the techniques, we summarize the way they are used in structured and object-oriented methods and indicate ways in which they can be combined.{\ifmmode\ldots\else$\ldots$\fi}The appendices show how the reviewed techniques are used in 6 structured and 19 object-oriented specification methods. (From the abstract.)\Endpar \SGMPendExtract \Beginpar{}{0pt}{}The author says the focus is restricted to {``}semiformal techniques, by which we mean diagram techniques and techniques that use some form of structured natural language.{''}\Endpar \Beginpar{}{}{}The paper presents a framework for comparing the different methods, then presents and analyzes the main features of each. Six structured and 19 object-oriented methods are discussed. One point of interest is the inclusion of structured techniques, which are omitted by most papers dealing with object-oriented techniques. Another virtue of the paper is the use of the same example application for all techniques, in order to provide a common reference point for comparing them.\Endpar \Beginpar{}{}{}This well-written survey provides useful critiques and a good comparison of the methods it examines. The material is augmented by readable figures and an extensive list of references.\Endpar (Provider: ACM)