Object-Oriented Frameworks
- A survey of methodological issues
by
Michael Mattsson
Abstract
Software productivity has increased the last three decades. However,
the gap between the demands on the software industry and what
state-of-the-practice can deliver is still large. Several decades of
research in software engineering left few alternatives but software
reuse as the (only) realistic approach to bring about the gains in
productivity and quality that the software industry needs.
With the introduction of object-oriented technology the reuse efforts
have been re-emphasized. An object-oriented framework is a reusable
design for an application, or subsystem, represented by a set of
abstract classes and the way they collaborate. Thus, a framework
outlines the main architecture for the application to be built. A
framework then implies reuse of both code and design.
This thesis discusses the concept of object-oriented frameworks and
surveys methodological issues related to frameworks, particulary:
- Framework Development
- Using Frameworks
- Documentation of Frameworks
The frameworks concept is discussed and compared to related concepts
such as design patterns. The notion of patterns are thoroughly
discussed in the thesis too. Advantages and disadvantages together with
different characterisations of frameworks as well as the framework
development process, guidelines and important design elements for the
development thereof are described. The maintenance aspect of frameworks
is also addressed.
Reusing or using a framework is not a simple task due to the complexity
of the framework. Using frameworks is, from a methodological
perspective, rarely investigated and we propose a method for
framework-based application development.
One of the most crucial aspects for successful reuse is documentation.
Existing approaches for framework documentation are surveyed and
discussed.
Finally, we describe a case study to develop and evaluate a
documentation technique for framework documentation to pursue as the
next step in our research. A number of methodological issues suitable
for research in the framework area are proposed too.
Table of Contents
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Reference
Object-Oriented Frameworks - A survey of methodological issues , Licentiate Thesis,
Department of Computer Science, Lund University, CODEN: LUTEDX/(TECS-3066)/1-130/(1996), also as
Technical Report, LU-CS-TR: 96-167, Department of Computer Science, Lund University, 1996
