William Wood

Robert Firth

Lauren Roberts

CARNEGIE-MELLON UNIV PITTSBURGH PA SOFTWARE ENGINEERING INST.

Vicky Mosley

Richard Pethla

Software engineering tools are computer programs that assist people in doing the work of software engineering. As understanding of the software engineering process has broadened and the need to solve problems has intensified, there has been increasing interest in using software engineering tools. Understanding what a tool does and comparing it to similar tools are difficult tasks given the diversity of functionality that exists. This report describes a tool classification technique that helps those investigating tools decide where a tool fits in the software engineering process and identify what a tool does or doesn't do. It also provides guidance to the tool evaluation process and lists specific criteria that should be considered when evaluating tools. (kr).

A Guide to the Classification and Assessment of Software Engineering Tools

Len Bass

Mark Klein

Felix Bachmann

John D. McGregor

Philip Bianco

Abstract: "The Architecture Expert (ArchE) tool serves as a software architecture design assistant. It embodies knowledge of quality attributes and the relation between the achievement of quality attribute requirements and architecture design. This technical note describes the use of a pre-alpha release of ArchE in a graduate-level software architecture class at Clemson University. ArchE was used to assist the students in the architecting process. The tool was then evaluated by the students and instructor. The instructor felt that ArchE met his objectives as a pedagogical tool. The students, although critical of the pre-alpha status of ArchE, were enthusiastic about the benefits of having the step-by-step guide to the architect's designing process as provided by ArchE."

One Experience

Using ArchE in the Classroom

CARNEGIE-MELLON UNIV PITTSBURGH PA SOFTWARE ENGINEERING INST.

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