A graphical, extensible integrated environment for software development

Analysis and design are the essential first phases in most software development projects, yet most automated support environments are aimed at the programming phase. This paper describes a workstation-based environment that provides an integrated ensemble of graphical tools for analysis and design coupled to a project database, along with mechanisms for producing declarations, code skeletons, and executable programs. The environment is built on an “open architecture,” in which interfaces to the tools and their associated files are visible and accessible. The open architecture supports customization and extensibility of the tool environment, so that it can be effectively linked with traditional programming tools.