SoftwareServant Pty Ltd 2009 SoftwareServant ® Using the Specification-Only Method

SoftwareServant Pty Ltd 2009 SoftwareServant ® Enables a complete software system to be automatically generated from a system specification written in natural language using Ms Word without requiring further computer programming. Dramatic cost savings for business. Real alignment of business and software. Much lower risk to business. Ownership and control of business software assets by executive management. SoftwareServant implements the Specification-Only method…

SoftwareServant Pty Ltd 2009 Specification-Only Method (Patent Pending) Dramatically alters the way businesses deliver and manage software systems. Basis of Method: –System specification is prepared in much the same way as it has been for many years using natural language with a commonly used tool like Ms Word. –Is prepared in a natural language form that enables all stakeholders to understand and agree the specification. –Is complete and unambiguous so that supporting tools can generate the running system. –The running system is tied to the specification to guarantee accurate and accessible documentation throughout the life of the system.

SoftwareServant Pty Ltd 2009 Specification-Only Method: Scope Any software system that can be supported by the host infrastructure. Business-oriented software systems: –Will typically include multiple software modules operating as an integrated system on multiple computing devices (PC, Notebook, PDA, Phone, Servers…) interacting with one or more DBMS over private networks and/or the public internet. eg. Management Information Systems, Data Processing, Records Management, ERP, CRM and Electronic Commerce Systems. Modern software infrastructures: –.Net and Java

SoftwareServant Pty Ltd 2009 Why? Current software development methods are seriously flawed. –More than 60% of software projects fail. Failure to deliver on-time and within budget is a serious cost to business and an unacceptable risk. –Loss of $78 billion per annum in USA alone – Standish Report Business has turned to packaged software solutions but these have often proven to be just as problematic and costly as customised development. Business has turned to out-sourcing of development. This can hide the immediate development problems and provide some savings (estimated real savings 20%) but creates new problems in management and ownership of vital software. The software industry suffers just as much pain as their customers: –New technology lies dormant because new software applications cannot be built fast enough to take advantage of it. –Enterprises are afraid to move to new platforms and new solutions because of the cost and risk of failure. –Packaged software solution vendors have the same software development problems as their customers. They are mired in ‘standard’ solutions and are unable to deliver the necessary level of end-user customisation at an acceptable cost and within an acceptable time.

SoftwareServant Pty Ltd 2009 Common problems of current methods The system specification is poorly understood by the stakeholders. The system specification is not complete and is ambiguous. The agreed system specification is passed to a separate team for a long, costly, error-prone development project. It is difficult, if not impossible, for executive management to properly manage this development phase. Over time the system specification becomes an historical document and the only truly accurate documentation of the running system is obscure program source code.

SoftwareServant Pty Ltd 2009 Current development methods and tools All current software system development methods founder on the implementation step, ie. the transformation of the agreed system specification into a running system. Current computer software system development methods typically require use of complex Object Oriented (OO) paradigms and related tools. These paradigms and tools bear little direct relationship to real-life concepts and processes as intuitively understood and generally communicated by people. Moreover, these tools are difficult even for experienced developers to utilise efficiently. Whilst OO methods and languages may provide benefits in the technical world of building computer operating systems and related low level services, they are not well suited to the business world where applications are more readily described and understood in terms of sample input/output diagrams, natural language business process statements and supporting narrative.

SoftwareServant Pty Ltd 2009 Specification-Only Method: Key Elements ‘Whiteboard’ envisioned system using familiar tools (eg. Ms Word). Build specification in a natural, intuitive process. Use standard structure and natural language for access by all stakeholders. Ensure specification is complete and unambiguous. Guarantee consistency between specification and running system. Bypass the complex, costly, and unmanageable programming phase. Build any system that can be supported by the host infrastructure. Guarantee performance, reliability, security, flexibility and scalability. Specification-Only Method System 123 Specification Examination Generation Driver 123 Refinement Driver 123 Target Platform Memory Management Hardware Management Database Management Network Management Print Management Security Management Internet Access Services XML Services… Engine

SoftwareServant Pty Ltd 2009 System Specification: Current Objectives communications tool for all stakeholders while developing and refining system requirements key contract document between end-user and developer source document for program specifications reference point for system acceptance source document for technical architecture reference point throughout the life of the system to describe its scope and functionality Specification-Only Method System 123 Specification Examination Generation Driver 123 Refinement Driver 123 Target Platform Memory Management Hardware Management Database Management Network Management Print Management Security Management Internet Access Services XML Services… Engine

SoftwareServant Pty Ltd 2009 System Specification: Specification-Only Method Meets all objectives of current system specifications. Is prepared using familiar tools, eg. Ms Word. Uses a standard structure and natural language. Is complete and unambiguous. Specification-Only Method System 123 Specification Examination Generation Driver 123 Refinement Driver 123 Target Platform Memory Management Hardware Management Database Management Network Management Print Management Security Management Internet Access Services XML Services… Engine

SoftwareServant Pty Ltd 2009 Examination Checks specification for missing or ambiguous content. Specification-Only Method System 123 Specification Examination Generation Driver 123 Refinement Driver 123 Target Platform Memory Management Hardware Management Database Management Network Management Print Management Security Management Internet Access Services XML Services… Engine

SoftwareServant Pty Ltd 2009 Generation Generates application driver files, ready for execution, from the system specification. One driver for each target platform. Ties running system to the specification file by stamping both the driver and specification files. Specification-Only Method System 123 Specification Examination Generation Driver 123 Refinement Driver 123 Target Platform Memory Management Hardware Management Database Management Network Management Print Management Security Management Internet Access Services XML Services… Engine

SoftwareServant Pty Ltd 2009 Refinement Enables authorised users to display the run- time human interface elements (eg. windows, forms, reports) and adjust the ‘look and feel’ of the system (eg. font, colour, component positioning) and other run-time environment settings. Specification-Only Method System 123 Specification Examination Generation Driver 123 Refinement Driver 123 Target Platform Memory Management Hardware Management Database Management Network Management Print Management Security Management Internet Access Services XML Services… Engine

SoftwareServant Pty Ltd 2009 Driver Generated directly from the system specification. Executed by resident Engine on target device/platform. Can only be altered by Generation or Refinement process. Always consistent with system specification. Small file for fast transport around network. Specification-Only Method System 123 Specification Examination Generation Driver 123 Refinement Driver 123 Target Platform Memory Management Hardware Management Database Management Network Management Print Management Security Management Internet Access Services XML Services… Engine

SoftwareServant Pty Ltd 2009 Engine Resides on each target device/platform. Executes driver files on target platform. Single engine, multiple drivers per platform. Provides consistent, reliable, scalable, secure and efficient processing of all systems. Specification-Only Method System 123 Specification Examination Generation Driver 123 Refinement Driver 123 Target Platform Memory Management Hardware Management Database Management Network Management Print Management Security Management Internet Access Services XML Services… Engine

SoftwareServant Pty Ltd 2009 SoftwareServant ® Using the Specification-Only Method