The Adele/Tempo Experience

by

N. Belkhatir, J. Estublier, and W. L. Melo

In A. Finkelstein, J. Kramer, and B. Nuseibeh (Eds.)
Software Process Modelling and Technology.
Research Studies Press (distributed by Wiley and Sons), 1994.

Abstract:

   Process-Centered Software Engineering Environments (PSEE) have
   recently attracted a large number of researchers. In such
   environments the software processes are explicitly described and
   interpreted by the PSEE, allowing software activities to be
   automated, assisted and enforced. [Lehman and Belady, 1985;
   Osterweil, 1987] claim that this capability is a central element
   in a software development environment for the improvement of
   software product quality and software developers productivity.  We
   have addressed these problems in the framework of the Adele
   project. The Adele kernel, initially a configuration management
   system [Estublier et al., 1984], has been extended with respect
   to 1) modeling and support of complex product models: the Object
   Manager (OM) 2) modeling and support of software processes: the
   Activity Manager (AM), and 3) modeling and support of software
   product evolution: the Configuration Manager (CM). For data and
   product modelling, an ER/OO model has been implemented including
   SEE specific features; On top of Adele kernel, which is a
   commercial product, we developed a Process Manager research
   prototype, Tempo, [Belkhatir et al., 1993] an enactable formalism
   based on two major concepts: objects may have a different
   description (role) depending on the process in which they are used,
   and processes are synchronized and coordinated by explicit
   connections.

   ADL-Tempo is organized around the concepts of software product,
   Work Environment and software process. The software processes is
   the set of actions executed in Work Environements and which result
   in software products.

   We show how the Adele components: Object Manager, Activity Manager,
   Configuration Manager and Process Manager contribute, at their
   respective level of abstraction, to the support of products, work
   environements and processes and how their synergy provides a
   framework which simplifies subtentially the building of a process
   centered SEE.

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