A framework for the support of a common structural level for software-, data base-, and knowledge-based systems

Abstract Currently, many languages, tools, and techniques are used for the development of software systems, including data base- and knowledge-based systems. Although underlying languages employ structuring concepts such as classification, modularization, generalization, perspectives, etc., these common concepts remain overshadowed by differing terminology and notations among diverse approaches in software engineering, data bases, and knowledge representation. As a consequence, we have to cope with a large number of specific but incompatible tools to support the development of software systems. This situation appears inconvenient, since the still more complex and ambitious requirements on software systems call for integrated solutions concerning software engineering environments. As a starting point toward integration, in this article we concentrate on structuring concepts and their support. While the central role of structuring in software development, as well as maintenance, is well established, a uniform support of some set of structuring concepts has not yet been achieved. Therefore, we present a catalog of generally useful structuring concepts, explain their derivation, and suggest a self-contained language called SFW ( S tructuring F rame w ork) and a tool (SFW-TOOL) to provide means for a general and uniform specification and support of the structure of software systems.