Experience with a graph-based propagation programming tool

A graph-based tool for object-oriented programming, referred to as propagation patterns, has been developed as part of the Demeter system. The Demeter system consists of the programming language independent Demeter method and a suite of platform-specific Demeter tools. Propagation patterns use a technique based on propagation within a graph to specify groups of collaborating classes. Experience has shown that the propagation pattern tool reduces development effort and makes software easier to engineer and reuse. The Demeter system is introduced, the propagation pattern technique for software engineering is described within the context of the Demeter system, and experience in the use of propagation patterns is summarized.< >