Object-Orientation FAQ

The Object Modeling Technique [OMT] by James Rumbaugh et al. is a methodology
for object oriented development with a graphical notation for representing
object oriented concepts.  Object Oriented Designer [OOD] is a case tool for
constructing the object diagrams defined in OMT. In order to use OOD it is
necessary to understand OMT and its graphical notation. See reference (2).

Why "OMT"? OMT evolved from the Extended Entity Relationship [EER] model which I
have studied since the mid 80's. There are a number of other approaches to
expressing object oriented concepts but I believe that OMT is superior to most
of these. Yourdon's Object Oriented Analysis [OOA] notation, for example, is
another excellent approach to the problem but has some limits in functionality,
particularly with respect to data modeling, that are present in OMT.

Currently, OOD has following primary functions:

    - general graphics editor (with limited functionality)

    - object diagram layout (with some additions w.r.t. original OMT notation)

    - C++ code skeleton generation (header file + source file)
      The comments and codes for individual member functions can be documented,
	  or edited within OOD directly.
      The C++ code generator supports inheritance. 

I have attempted to make OOD as user-friendly as possible. My students learn to
use it in a day even without a manual. The user-friendliness of OOD is due to my
own object oriented, user interface mechanisms.

Currently OOD generates a C++ code skeleton from an object diagram.  I have a
short term final goal to develop an object oriented "environment" with
flexibility and portability. I think that about additional 20 man months effort
could lead me to the final goal. Because I am currently working very hard to
enhance its functionality, I am not especially concerned with system portability
issues at the moment so building OOD on your particular platform may require a
little work on your part. Please inform me of any changes that you need to make
to build OOD on your system.

1. System Environment
---------------------
OOD was built on a SPARC station running OS4.1.x, X11-R5 and Motif-1.2 and
C++-2.0. OOD has also been successfully built on a SPARC using gcc-2.5.8 and
libg++-2.5.3. It should build on most UNIX systems with X11-R5, Motif-1.2 and a
"reasonable" C++ compiler.

2. Building OOD
---------------------
	1) In ood directory edit the Makefile to reflect your environment
	2) run "make depend"
	3) run "make"

3. Initialize Working Environment
--------------------------------
OOD requires the user to select a working repository in which to store various
output files. If this is the first time you are running OOD:

	1) point at the top-menu,
	2) select "Environment",
	3) select "Setup",
	4) define your working repository.

If a working repository has been previously defined, select it:

	1) point top-menu
	2) select "change to"
	3) set your working repository 

  ...