From mboxrd@z Thu Jan 1 00:00:00 1970 X-Spam-Checker-Version: SpamAssassin 3.4.5-pre1 (2020-06-20) on ip-172-31-74-118.ec2.internal X-Spam-Level: X-Spam-Status: No, score=-0.0 required=3.0 tests=BAYES_40 autolearn=ham autolearn_force=no version=3.4.5-pre1 Date: Wed, 28 Oct 1992 09:06 EDT From: SAHARBAUGH@ROO.FIT.EDU Subject: The engineers dream machine Message-ID: <9210281411.AA18320@ajpo.sei.cmu.edu> List-Id: Gary Funck writes, in part: Tell me it wouldn't be better to implement a traceability/CASE tool that keeps the unit hierachy and dependency numbering scheme in parallel with the program components. --- Let me tell you about my dream machine. You look at software as written. You punch a button and the comments disappear. You punch a different button and the code disappears. You punch a different button and the code is pretty printed in my favorite format. You punch another button and the long variables get replaced by short ones, maybe even icons. e.g., a small picture of an antenna replaces the identifier ANTENNA. You get the idea. Many years ago a Tri-Ada vendor showed an editor that "allowed you to format anyway you wanted to". I said that I wanted to replace "package" with a smiley face. He looked ta me as if I was from another planet. Also Gary, I am one of those bad systems enginers that specify that system level names be used in the code. About 12 years ago I was assigned to the systems engineering group of a large communications project and was responsible for the CPDP (Computer Program Development Plan) among other things. I assured the communications systems engineers that if they attended a code walkthru in 2 or 3 years they would probably be able to understand the code because they would see identifiers that they had been using for 5 years. We had a systems level dictionary and that was GIVEN to the software engineers. I understand your complaint but please realize that it is VERY IMPORTANT that the system engineer can read the software. It is very importatnt that the system enginer can spot something like Link_Power_Margin := Transponder_Power_Rating +Link_Power_Setting (where the plus should have been a minus). Suppose he had read L001:=T004-L002; and had to look in a dictionary. sam harbaugh saharbaugh@ROO.FIT.EDU ----------- Florida Bumper Sticker: "If its tourist season can we shoot them?" ---