A study of object-oriented analysis: a pragmatic approach
Janet M. Drake · 1993
We examined the analysis phase of the software life cycle with respect to the object-oriented paradigm. In analysis we gain problem understanding and create a specification of the proposed system. To examine Object-Oriented Analysis (OOA), we developed a set of criteria to evaluate analysis techniques. Next we developed an OOA technique to examine our theory that OOA has difficulty identifying the high-level control aspects of problems. We evaluated our OOA technique along with two other OOA techniques by using the criteria and through a case study. The case study confirmed our theory and identified several other problems inherent to OOA, including the difficulty of object identification and definition of the system boundaries. To address object identification, we developed an approach that takes advantage of end users' problem understanding by allowing them to identify objects. The approach was prototyped and evaluated using case study. It showed that end users can easily identify objects in their problem areas. To address the system boundary problem, we created a check list approach. Our work emphasized verification and validation. Our OOA technique includes a cross-reference to verify that methods identified in objects cover the high-level processes of the problem. In end-user object identification, results from multiple end users are checked to identify consistencies and inconsistencies between sets of objects. Our contributions include (1) pragmatic-analysis criteria, (2) an OOA technique, (3) identification of problems inherent to OOA, (4) an object identification process, and (5) a check list to identity system boundaries.