Masters Theses

Date of Award

8-1990

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Computer Science

Major Professor

Jesse H. Poore

Committee Members

David Mutchler, David Straight

Abstract

Box Structure Methodology is a stepwise system design process which facilitates the application of software engineering principles to systems design. Box Structure Methodology defines a system as an abstract function. It then proceeds, with an eleven step process, to expand that function into a hierarchy of subfunctions each described as a black box, state box, and clear box. The resulting design is expressed in a non-executable language called Box Description Language (BDL) . BDL consists of outer syntax for Box Structures (black box, state box, and clear box) and control structures. The Ada language is executable and was designed to express software engineering principles in systems development. For these reasons an Ada Design Language (ADL) is defined to replace the Box Description Language. Black box to clear box expansion is illustrated for each Ada program unit. The eleven step BDL design process is modified and illustrated. Finally, a case study is discussed which applied this Box Structure ADL to a small system. A comparison between this case study and a similar study using standard BDL is made.

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