Merging CASE tools with knowledge-based technology for automatic software design

摘要

An approach towards developing a Knowledge Based Software Engineering (KBSE) tool by merging a conventional CASE tool with the expert system technology is introduced. This is found useful in assisting human designers. Experimental expert systems CREATOR2 and CREATOR3 are introduced and applied to the design of switching software. The CREATOR2 has the following features: representing software design knowledge, composed of design product knowledge and design process knowledge, using frame technology; and integrating knowledge based reasoning techniques with a SDL CASE tool. CREATOR3 is an extension of the CREATOR2 system. It enables one with additional design schemas for splitting a process, adding events, etc., and additional representation power, such as using pictorial elements and designers' comments in the frame representation. This leads to a uniform modeling and advanced reasoning environment for software design. Experiments on designing switching software are reported.