A characterization of software design tools

  • Authors:

  • M. K. Rajaraman

  • Affiliations:

  • The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas

  • Venue:
  • ACM SIGSOFT Software Engineering Notes
  • Year:
  • 1982

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Abstract

Software tools have been proposed and are available for a number of major activities involved in an information system development. Tools exist that help the designer in systems analysis, requirements specification, program design, coding, testing and implementation. However, there is very little standardization of tool characteristics, terminology, applicability, and classification. This paper identifies the global environment in which software design tools exist and proposes a hierarchy of characteristics that are required or desirable for tools to serve their intended purpose. Once formally established and accepted, such characteristics and properties will not only help tool developers, but also be useful in selection and use of tools in the system development environment.