Which CRAM? College of Alameda Copyright © 1999 Patrick McDermott Class Relationship Attribute Method cf.: Entity-Relationship-Attribute-Trigger

The Meta-Objects Object C.R.A.M. Objects  Classes  Relationships  Attributes  Methods CLASS Attribute1 Attribute2 Attribute3 Method1() Method2() R elationship

Which C.R.A.M? Relationship/Attribute can be a class if Data, a Method if behavior –Marriage –Color to artist, painter –Eskimo Snow Telephone Number –Phone Number at Ma Bell –Japanese phone number: it’s an asset –Area code, exchange, number Whose Attribute? License Plate # –Car –Driver

Purpose of Objects Entity Business Object Infrastructure –User Interface –Data Persistence  Database –Control –Static For things that aren’t really objects

Object An object (business object) is a thing the business needs to know about. Classes are groups (classifications) of objects. In most discussions, “class”, “object” and “entity” can be used interchangeably. In addition to business objects, there are infrastructure objects. During analysis, you should only discuss business (entity) objects.

Attribute An attribute is a piece of information about an object needed in your business. Often objects, attributes and/or relationships are established or modified by methods. In fact, there should be methods to CRUD all the meta-objects. CRUD: Create, Read, Update, Delete

Attribute or Class?

Method A method, operation, or function is an action needed in your business. Often objects, attributes and/or relationships are established or modified by methods. In fact, there should be methods to CRUD all the meta-objects. CRUD: Create, Read/Retrieve, Update, Delete

Grammatical Analysis Classes are Nouns Relationships are Verbs Attributes are Adjectives Methods are Phrases –Including an action and –a Class, Relationship or Attribute Joel Kermarrec In Principle the Ghost is the Verb of the Form 1987