Chapter 1

Object Class

A logical grouping of objects that have the same (or similar) attributes and behaviors (methods).

Application Software

Computer software designed to support organizational functions or processes such as inventory management, payroll, or market analysis.

Computer-Aided Software Engineering (CASE) Tools

Software tools that provide automated support for some portion of the systems development process.

System Analyst

The organizational role most responsible for the analysis and design of information systems.

Inheritance

The property that occurs when entity types or object classes are arranged in a hierarchy and each entity type or object class assumes the attributes and methods of its ancestors, that is, those higher up in the hierarchy. Inheritance allows new but related classes to be derived from existing classes.

System Development Methodology

A standard process followed in an organization to conduct all the steps necessary to analyze, design, implement, and maintain information systems.

Object

A structure that encapsulates (or packages) attributes and methods that operate on those attributes. It is an abstraction of a real-world thing in which data and processes are placed together to model the structure and behavior of the real-world object.

Rational Unified Process (RUP)

An object-oriented systems, development methodology. This process establishes four phases of development: inception, elaboration, construction, and transition. Each phase is organized into a number of separate iterations.

Object-Oriented Analysis and Design (OOAD)

Systems development methodologies and techniques based on objects rather than data or processes.

Rapid Application Development (RAD)

Systems development methodology created to radically decrease the time needed to design and implement information systems. It relies on extensive user involvement, prototyping, integrated CASE tools, and code generators.

Information Systems Analysis and Design

The complex organizational process whereby computer-based information systems are developed and maintained.

Maintenance

The final phase of the SDLC in which an information system is systematically repaired and improved.

Planning

The first phase of the SDLC in which an organizations's total information system needs are identified, analyzed, prioritized, and arranged.

Implementation

The fourth phase of the SDLC in which the information system is coded, tested, installed, and supported in the organization.

Physical Design

The part of the design of the SDLC in which the logical specifications of the system from logical design are transformed into technology-specific details from which all programming and system construction can be accomplished.

Logical Design

The part of the design phase of the SDLC in which all functional features of the system chosen for development in analysis are described independently of any computer platform.

Analysis

The second phase of SDLC in which system requirements are studied and structured.

Design

The third phase of SDLC in which the description of the recommended solution is converted into logical and then physical system specifications.

Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC)

The traditional methodology used to develop, maintain, and replace information systems.