OBJECT-ORIENTED METHODOLOGIES IN DECISION AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES

This paper provides an overview of object oriented approaches to probl em representation and solution, particularly from the point of view of systems engineering approaches to the information and decision techno logies. This potentially very useful approach for systems analysis and software development is based upon objects and their attributes, clas ses of objects and their members, and other purposefully oriented stru ctural elements that are vital in systems engineering. We illustrate s ome of the advantages of an object oriented approach for the design of the data base management systems, model base management, and dialog g eneration and management system components of a decision support syste m. Of particular concern are systems manage ment process and cognitive ergonomics issues that must be addressed by object oriented methodolo gies if they are to become effective and efficient software systems en gineering methodologies. These are discussed in the concluding section s of the paper.