· A CASE (Computer Aided Software Engineering) tool is a generic term used to denote any form of automated support for software engineering
· A CASE tool means any tool used to automate some activity associated with software development · The primary reasons for using a CASE tool are:
o To increase productivity
o To help produce better quality software at lower cost
Components of CASE
CASE repository
· Central component of any CASE tool
· Also known as the information repository or data dictionary
· Centralized database
· Allows easy sharing of information between tools and SDLC activities
· Used to store graphical diagrams and prototype forms and reports during analysis and design workflows
· Provides wealth of information to project manager and allows control over project
· Facilitates reusability
Diagramming tools
· Allow you to represent a system and its components visually
· Allows higher level processes to be easily decomposed
· Can examine processes or data models at high or low level
Screen and report generators
· Used to Create, modify and test prototypes of computer displays and reports
· Identify which data items to display or collect for each screen or report
· Some tools have templates
Analysis tools
· Generate reports that help identify possible inconsistencies, redundancies and omissions (deficiency)
· Generally focus on
· diagram completeness and consistency
· data structures and usage
CASE documentation generator tools
· Create standard reports based on contents of repository
· Need textual descriptions of requirements, solutions, diagrams of data and processes, prototype forms and reports, program specifications and user documentation
High-quality documentation leads to 80% reduction in system maintenance effort in comparison to average quality documentation
