A system is provided for building systems in a development architecture framework. The present invention is directed to both a system to be built and an implementation strategy to fulfill system requirements. Software components of the system are encapsulated with wrappers. The wrappers are adapted to be changed upon other software components of the system being changed while the encapsulated software components of the system remain unchanged. In one embodiment of the present invention, specifying the requirements of the system to be built and the implementation strategy to fulfill the requirements may be carried out using tools such as data modeling tools, process modeling tools, event modeling tools, performance modeling tools, object modeling tools, component modeling tools, reuse support tools, prototyping tools, application logic design tools, database design tools, presentation design tools, communication design, and usability test tools. In another embodiment of the present invention, improving the performance and maintenance of the system may be carried out using tools such as interactive navigation tools, graphical representation tools, extraction tools, repository tools, restructuring tools, and data name rationalization tools.

Building techniques in a development architecture framework

A system, method, and article of manufacture are provided for managing information in a development architecture framework. Common information that is used by a plurality of components of a system is allowed to be accessed in a single, shared repository. Unique information that is unique to the components of the system is stored in corresponding designated folders. Media content communicated in the system is managed based on metadata thereof.

Managing information in an integrated development architecture framework

A development architecture framework manages information that supports a project being carried out by a development architecture framework. Security requirements are defined and the framework is audited to ensure requirements are met. Quality is ensured by obtaining and statistically analyzing measurements relating to predetermined criterion Personnel are trained to improve the quality of the project. The project is managed by generating a plan, scheduling a timeline, tracking the plan, and reporting information uncovered during tracking. A development environment is also managed. Component delivery is coordinated and delivery problems are rectified during the delivery.

Development architecture framework

Connection objects or other such data structures facilitate establishing and configuring connections between objects that model components in a process control system. A first set of data structures (e.g. the object connection type structures) identify valid types for component-to-component pairings and the respective roles of each component in the pairing (e.g., parent or child, source or sink). A second set of data structures (e.g., the parameter connection type structures) supply similar information for parameter-to-parameter connections. Together, these data structures can be used, for example, to validate component-to-component connections suggested by the user and to automatically configure parameter-to-parameter connections. Actual connections, both at the component or parameter level, are reflected using parameter overrides within the parameterized object model—with which the connection objects are constructed.

Process control configuration system with connection validation and configuration

A computer implemented application development (authoring) system permits objects (such as VBX custom controls) to be graphically inserted into the program under development by dragging and dropping associated icons into one of four views. The properties associated with the object may then be assigned settings. Development of a complete application is accomplished by visually arranging, ordering, and interconnecting the objects without the necessity of writing any code. The four views of Output, Map, Multitrack, and Workform may be synchronized so that changes made to the program in one view are simultaneously reflected in all other views. The system generates as output a script listing the objects and their properties which is then executed by a separate run time program. The system permits use of objects written to a standard specification and the addition at any time of additional objects written to that. Integration of the objects into the system is achieved by wrapping each object in an “envelope” of system specific properties.

Visually oriented computer implemented application development system utilizing standardized objects and multiple views

Executive Summary Competing in a Changing World The Evolution of Information Systems Three Keys to Object Technology Methodologies for Object Development Creating an Object-Oriented Information System Object-Oriented Languages Object Databases Supporting Systems Building Object-Oriented Information Systems Adopting Object Technology Commercial Applications of Object Technology Index.

David A. Taylor

Papers

Object-Oriented Information Systems: Planning and Implementation