Building on Structured Design Techniques in the Object Oriented Environment

Abstract

The term structured methods refers to a philosophy of software development which emphasizes an adherence to a set of consistent rules or methods throughout a project (Yourdon, 1989). These methods include broad programs such as Systems Development Lifecycles and Methods and Information Engineering as well as individual techniques such as structured programming, data flow diagramming, data modeling, and Object Oriented methodologies. Perhaps the newest, most visible, but least understood of these methodologies are the Object Oriented methods. The specific set of rules or methods that organizations use can come from a variety of sources. Organizations often implement their own methodologies for software development, using tools and techniques borrowed from a variety of formalized methodologies. Commercially produced methodologies are also widely used, usually obtained from software vendors and consultants. The primary objectives of traditional structured methodologies can be summarized as follows: (Martin and McClure, 1988) • Achieve high-quality programs of predictable behavior • Achieve programs that are easily modifiable (maintainable) • Simplify the development process • Control the development process • Speed up system development • Lower the cost of system development