As computer systems become more complex, problems associated with building and deploying them change. Today, we rarely develop a self-contained system; we are far more likely to build pieces that are integrated into an operating environment. Interface incompatibilities and architectural conflicts are most common integration problems. Unfortunately, most software methodologies and productivity tools are targeted to either understanding requirements or constructing programs and components. There is little support for systems integration, system test, and operational deployment. These functions are often performed with improvised procedures - success depending largely on the staffs skill and experience. Our solution is the System Integrations, Testing, and Operational Deployment System (SITODS). Both a methodology and supporting software, SITODS will add systems integration functionality to the tradition development methodologies and bridge to systems testing and deployment functions. SITODS utilizes several innovative concepts - modules, services and service protocols, and glue. A module is an abstraction of any deployable package of software. A service is an abstraction of a modules functionality. A service protocol defines the procedure to access that functionality. Glue is the mechanism that binds service suppliers to service consumers. These mechanisms eliminate interface incompatibilities and expose conflicting architectural assumptions. Anticipated Benefits/Commercial Applications: SITODS reduces the cost and complexity of systems integration, systems test, and operational deployment by eliminating interface incompatibilities and exposing architectural conflicts. The mechanisms that eliminate interface incompatibilities also increase the likelihood of software component reuse. SITODS augments the project management function by tracking the degree-of-doneness and reporting deviations from plan. SITODS will be implemented so that it can be loaded as an optional component of traditional CASE tools and IDEs. We plan to market SITODS through the CASE and IDE suppliers.
Keywords: software engineering methodology, component, software integration, software deployment
