EasyCASE & EasyCASE Plus Easy-to-use Computer Aided Software Engineering (CASE) tools EasyCASE and EasyCASE Plus are CASE (Computer Aided Software Engineering) tools intended to simplify the generation (with a certain amount of automation) of data flow diagrams (DFDs), transformation graphs (data/control flow schema diagrams), state transition diagrams, structure charts and entity relationship diagrams (ERDs). EasyCASE produces these charts in accordance with the Yourdon-DeMarco, Gane & Sarson, Ward-Mellor, Hatley-Pirbhai (also known as the Boeing-Hatley method), Yourdon- Constantine and Chen representations and metholodogies for structured analysis and design (including real time extensions) as published in their respective texts. EasyCASE provides an easier to use, more automated method of producing these diagrams than does a presentation graphics or drawing program in that the drawing features provided are only those required to provide the symbols, connections, annotation and relationships required for the specific chart types implemented. EasyCASE is considerably less expensive and is also easier to use than most of the full-featured CASE tools in that it provides only the basic functions necessary for performing and presenting structured systems analysis and design. EasyCASE provides the capability to add the appropriate chart type objects to the chart and then manipulate them (add, move, delete, modify, label and describe objects - processes, stores, functions, modules, states, flows, couples etc.). EasyCASE maintains certain information about each object and its relationships with other objects on the chart. Objects can be added, moved, deleted, labelled, identified and associated with other objects on the chart. If an object is modified in any way, any other similarly identified or associated objects are modified also. For example : (i) if a data process symbol on a transformation graph is moved, it's label and any attached data and/or control flows and their labels are moved also, remaining connected to, and associated with, that symbol; (ii) if a function symbol on a structure chart is deleted, any attached connections and associated data or control flow arrows (couples) and their labels are deleted also; (iii) if a previously defined object is re-used, the new object will inherit its attributes. EasyCASE interacts quickly and easily with the user via pop-up dialog boxes and menus and makes use of the mouse for selecting commands and working with objects. EGA color is used, particularly for highlighting selected and modified objects. EasyCASE provides a drawing area equivalent in size to 3 sheets wide (approx. 24 inches) by 2 sheets high (approx. 21 inches) of A- size paper supported by several zoom modes, scrolling around which can be performed using the mouse or keyboard. The whole chart or a specific area, selectable using the mouse, can be printed to a number of output devices which are compatible with the following; Epson FX, Epson LQ, IBM Graphics Printers, Hewlett-Packard Graphics (HPGL) Plotters, Hewlett-Packard QuietJet, LaserJet (HPLJ) and DeskJet printers. Information entered about each object, and the relationship between objects, on each chart produced can be exported in dBase III file format so that reports and analysis can be performed using dBase III+, Lotus 1-2-3, Microsoft Excel, PC-File:dB etc. Charts can also be exported in Microsoft Windows Paint (v1.0x and v2.0) and PC Paintbrush (v3.0) file formats so that they can be incorporated into documents when using a desktop publishing or word processing program which can import Paint images, such as Pagemaker, Ventura Publisher, Lotus Manuscript etc. EasyCASE is intended to provide the end-user with a quick and easy introduction to the concepts of structured analysis and design methods and CASE which may then provide him or her with a basic knowledge of the methods and techniques required to implement the full CASE solution. EasyCASE requires an IBM PC (286 or 386 -AT recommended) or compatible equipped with an EGA or VGA, Microsoft mouse (or compatible), at least 512 kbytes (640 kbytes required for EasyCASE Plus) of RAM. An Intel 80287 or 80387 math co-processor will improve the speed of screen updates, chart draws and printing. REGISTRATION : EasyCASE is a SHAREWARE product, the first of its kind, the registration fee for which is $90 (including shipping). Washington state residents must add an additional 8.1% sales tax ($7.29). Registration provides the user with (i) the latest version of EasyCASE (featuring high resolution printing at 150 and 300 dpi resolution on HP DeskJet and LaserJet (PCL) printers together with a selection of assorted fonts), (ii) automatic chart file backup, (iii) the option to upgrade to EasyCASE Plus for $75, (iv) technical support via Compuserve, mail or telephone and (v) a detailed, laser printed and bound user manual which provides comprehensive information about CASE, structured analysis and design, methodologies, chart types and objects supported and information about the development, features and functions of EasyCASE or EASYCASE Plus. FUTURE DEVELOPMENT It is planned to produce future versions of EasyCASE and EasyCASE Plus which will provide pull-down menus; an 'Undo' feature; automatic chart backups; level balancing; ESML methodology support; methodology rule checking; higher resolution paint file export; exporting to Windows Metafiles, CGM (Computer Graphics Metafiles), EPS (Encapsulated Postscript) and HPGL (Hewlett-Packard Graphics Language) formats; enhanced chart resolution for VGA; Postscript printing and support the Hercules Graphics card (HGC) and possibly the MCGA card included with the IBM PS/2 model 30. A standalone data dictionary manager (compiled DBMS) with full relational capabilities for providing enhanced data entry, query, analysis and reporting capabilities is also being developed as an optional add-on package. EasyCASE Plus A retail (commercial) version of EasyCASE is available. This much enhanced version will provide the user with all the features of EasyCASE and also add considerably more power and flexibility than the shareware version, enabling development of small to medium sized systems. EasyCASE Plus will be NOT be available via CompuServe, BBSs etc using the shareware approach. The shareware version will continue to be available for evaluation purposes and registration. EasyCASE Plus will cost $165 (including shipping) direct from Evergreen CASE Tools. Registered users of the shareware version of EasyCASE will be able to upgrade to EasyCASE Plus for $75 (including shipping). EasyCASE Plus features a much more comprehensive data dictionary and will provide object data for use by all objects in all charts organized together as a project set. That is, any objects identified or described to the data dictionary on any chart will be available for re-use or re-definition on any other chart in the same project group. An attribute is provided to enable symbols such as data processes to define a 'child' chart. It will then be possible to move up and down charts in a hierarchy (chart linking) by simply selecting such symbols. For example, it will possible to 'explode' down to lower level dfds from data processes on a dfd, to an erd from a data store on a dfd or to a state transition diagram from a control transform on a transformation graph. In addition, provision is made to 'explode' down to a text editor from a symbol enabling primitive process specs etc. to be defined. An attribute is provided to enable flows to be defined in the form of a record structure, consisting of sub-groups and/or elements. Record structures are definable using the Yourdon-DeMarco or Backus-Naur notations. Attributes are provided for all objects so that an alias (eg. a code mnemonic) and a textual description can be added to each symbol. A miscellaneous (user definable) field is also provided. EasyCASE Plus also contains a basic data dictionary manager to enable addition, deletion, un-deletion, modification, renaming, listing and interrogation of object records; printing of a basic set of object record, chart data and data dictionary reports, data dictionary packing and export/import in dBASE III+ and SDF file formats. Manipulation of chart object entries in the data dictionary can be accomplished either directly from the chart (add, delete and modify), internally via the data dictionary manager (included) or externally by exporting/importing the dictionary to/from a separate DBMS such as dBASE etc. EasyCASE Plus will also provide for basic checking of data dictionary object records syntax and will be able to perform level balancing (when available) of data and control flows, processes and stores on data flow diagrams and transformation graphs. Additionally, EasyCASE Plus will provide basic methodology rule checking (when available) of objects and their associations and relationships on certain chart types. EasyCASE Plus provides an uatomatic chart backup feature and better, more flexible and higher resolution (150 and 300 dpi) printing of chart objects on HP LaserJet and DeskJet (PCL) printers. An assortment of fonts are provided and includes serif and sans-serif, single and double stroke, and script type fonts for these printers. VOLUME DISCOUNTS All corporate, business, government, education or other commercial users of EasyCASE and EasyCASE Plus must be registered. Volume discounts are available as follows. Quantity : less than 5 copies - no discount 5 - 10 copies - 10 % discount 11 - 20 copies - 15 % discount 21 - 50 copies - 20 % discount 51 - 99 copies - 25 % discount 100+ copies - Contact Us SITE LICENCING Site licencing of EasyCASE and EasyCASE Plus is available at the prices shown below. Up to the specified number of licenced copies may be made from the master disk and manual provided to the licencee. Additional manuals and/or disks may be ordered for $10 (EasyCASE) or $15 (EasyCASE Plus) and $5 each respectively. Yearly upgrade agreements are also available, providing free upgrades and support, at a cost of $40 for EasyCASE or $75 for EasyCASE Plus, contact us for further details. Quantity Cost Cost Cost (up to) (EasyCASE) (EasyCASE+) (Upgrade) 10 $600 $1200 $600 20 $1100 $2200 $1100 50 $2500 $5000 $2500 100 $4500 $9000 $4500 100+ Contact Us July 2nd, 1989 Evergreen CASE Tools, 11025 164th. Avenue NE, Redmond, WA 98052. Telephone : 206-881-5149 MEMBER ASP - Association of Shareware Professionals