Developing Information Systems

14     SOLUTION DEVELOPMENT TOOLS

Julian Cox

CONTENTS OF THIS CHAPTER

This chapter covers the following topics:

• typical tool functions and benefits;
• tools through solution lifecycles;
• what’s in a name?
• evaluating tools;
• benefits and pitfalls of adopting tools.

INTRODUCTION

As the capabilities of computer-based software applications have evolved over the last few decades, so have the complexities of the software and its environment. Whereas it was once possible to develop a whole application using a pen-and-paper design, coded and built using a text editor and a command line compiler, it is difficult to imagine doing so now for even the simplest application.

During unit design, the code and build activities for the different run-time environments ...