MetaMOOSE - an object-oriented framework for the construction of CASE tools

This paper describes certain problems which can occur when attempting to bu ild complex CASEtools with facilities not envisaged by the Metatool builder s. A solution, based upon an object oriented approach combined with an inte rpreted OO language has been used to build the MetaMOOSE MetaCASE tool. Met aMOOSE uses an object model to describe the entities and behaviour of the S E development process. Use of the Itcl language gives platform independence and speeds the tool development cycle. A persistent object database ensure s integration of the resulting CASE tools. In addition, the successful use of MetaMOOSE to construct a full lifecycle CASE toolset (MOOSE) and its sub sequent use in real world engineering projects is described. (C) 2000 Elsev ier Science B.V. All rights reserved.