Timothy D. Korson

Technical criteria for the specification and evaluation of object-oriented libraries

One of the often cited goals of the object-oriented approach to software development is to increase the level of reuse in the development process. One of the primary techniques for the reuse of code is the development of libraries. The purpose of this paper is to present a set of attributes that an object-oriented library of reusable components should possess. The paper also provides design criteria that result in libraries with the desired attributes. The design criteria are illustrated with examples and counter-examples from currently available libraries.

Managing emerging software technologies: a technology transfer framework

o minimize adoption risks and effectively manage emerging software technologies, corporations need access to a wide range of timely information. The problem is that much of this information is not available. It is either in a form that managers cannot use, or it simply does not exist because the necessary underlying research has not been done. Software managers are often faced with two extremes: information explosion vs. near total lack of information. In the area of object-oriented technology for example, a keyword search of our university library catalog produces references to over 3,000 articles. Yet in some crucial areas, such as metrics for managing object-technology, there is an almost total lack of information [ 10]. We propose a framework for addressing this problem that has four key elements: comprehensive scope; knowledge engineering; basic research; and the use of an advanced knowledge delivery vehicle to build an automated Management Support System (MSS). This framework calls for integrating and synthesizing the full range of existing pertinent information, while at the same time identifying missing knowledge. The identification of the missing knowledge drives research efforts to fill the gaps. The results of this research and knowledge engineering are then delivered to managers in a form they can directly use via the MSS. After elaborating this framework we will describe our experience with a prototype application of the framework to an instance of an emerging software technology: the area of object-oriented analysis. Finally, we consider the further development of this concept, both in terms of full implementation and also extension of the approach to areas other than emerging software technologies. This technology transfer framework is the basis for the newly formed Consortium for the Management of Emerging Software Technologies (COMSOFT) [26], whose founding sponsor is AT&T/ Human Resources Information Systems. Technology transfer is used to refer to a variety of different activities [24]. In this article, we use the term to refer to those activities necessary to enable a corporation to apply a new software technology to its own set of internal or external products. Information and information processing assets are occupying an increasingly important strategic and economic role. For many corporations , survival during the next decade will depend on a competitive edge in software technology. Unfortunately , most current computer information systems environments are characterized by: • Excessive cost for inflexible systems that do not fully support business needs • Data and …

Using components, patterns and frameworks to realize architecture

Summary form only given, as follows. Understanding and using components, patterns and frameworks in the design and development of an application system architecture is critical to the successful development of enterprise solutions. You will learn how components, patterns and frameworks can and should be utilized to establish an industrial strength architecture that supports the total needs of the business. Reuse comes in many forms at numerous levels of abstraction. This tutorial will consider the aspects necessary to a successful corporate reuse program. We will examine how to plan and attain effective reuse by combining class libraries, patterns, frameworks, domain specific pattern languages and the corporate infrastructure necessary for enabling large scale reuse. Reuse is often touted as one of the primary benefits of the object-oriented approach to software development. Yet reuse is not an automatic by-product of employing object technology. There are as many cultural and organizational barriers to reuse as there are technical ones.