Rationale

This chapter discusses the implications an object-oriented approach has for practical application development. First we discuss the standardization efforts as initiated by the OMG and ODMG to promote application interoperability. Then we concentrate on issues of library design and discuss a number of the available methods and tools for analysis and design. We also look at some program development environments for C++. This chapter concludes with an overview of the libraries available for C++ and a discussion of the criteria guiding the choice for a particular library.

Hints

For each of the issues touched upon in this chapter there is ample opportunity to introduce additional material. A possible approach would be to select an example application and discuss its design, the method and support tools used, its dependence on libraries, the purity of the approach, and the lessons to be drawn with respect to standardization and modeling.

Further reading

As further reading I recommend  [Pinson90] and  [Harmon93], describing object oriented applications. When you are looking for a practical method, I recommend the study of  [Fusion], which describes Fusion. You may also consult  [OMG] and  [Cattell94] and, naturally, the conference proceedings of OOPSLA, ECOOP and TOOLS. For an overview of libraries for C++ consult  [Locke]. See also appendix internet.

Project assignments

As a practical assignment you may think of As a subject for a paper, one may think of

Comments

The rapid growth of technology has caused a change in the need for information technology professionals. There is an increasing need for expertise in modeling the information requirements of business companies and corporations and less for system development. In principle, the effort of realizing an adequate model is significantly reduced when adopting an appropriate development framework.