EasyCASE v1.24 3/25/1989 (c) 1989 Evergreen CASE tools INTRODUCTION : EasyCASE is a limited function CASE (Computer Aided Software Engineering) tool intended to simplify the generation (with a certain amount of automation) of data/control flow diagrams (also referred to as transformation graphs), state transition diagrams and structure charts. EasyCASE produces these charts in accordance with the Yourdon- DeMarco, Ward-Mellor, Hatley-Pirbhai (also known as the Boeing-Hatley method) and Yourdon-Constantine representations and metholodogies for structured analysis and design as published in their respective texts. EasyCASE provides an easier to use, more automated method of producing these diagrams than does a presentation graphics or drawing program such as Lotus Freelance, Micrografx Designer, Windows Draw or Gem Draw etc. in that the drawing functions it provides are only those required to provide the symbols, connections, annotation and relationships required for the specific chart types implemented. EasyCASE is also easier to use than most of the full-featured CASE tools in that it provides only the basic functions (charts) necessary for performing and presenting structured systems analysis and design. EasyCASE provides the capability to add the appropriate chart type objects to the chart and then manipulate them. EasyCASE maintains certain information about each object and its relationships with other objects on the chart. Objects can be added, moved, deleted, labelled, identified and associated with other objects on the chart. If an object is modified in any way, any other similarly identified or associated objects are modified also. For example : (i) if a data process symbol on a transformation graph is moved, any attached data and/or control flows and their labels are moved also, remaining connected to, and associated with, that symbol; (ii) if a function symbol on a structure chart is deleted, any attached connections and associated data or control flow arrows (couples) and their labels are deleted also; (iii) if a previously defined object identifier is re- used, the new object will inherit its attributes (label). The Data Dictionary and Desktop Publishing support provided is, currently, minimal but adequate. The information entered about each object on each chart produced is exported, at the chart level, in dBase III file format so that reports and analysis can be performed using dBase III+, Lotus 1-2-3 or Microsoft Excel etc. Also, a chart can be exported in Microsoft Windows Paint (v1.0x and v2.0) and PC Paintbrush (v3.0) file formats so that it can be incorporated into documents when using a desktop publishing or word processing program which can import Paint images, such as Pagemaker, Ventura Publisher, Lotus Manuscript etc. EasyCASE is intended to provide the end-user with an introduction to the concepts of structured analysis and design methods and CASE which may then provide him or her with a basic knowledge of the methods and techniques required to implement the full CASE solution. As a minimum, EasyCASE should provide the user with exposure to the various structured software development methodologies supported and also exposure to some of the features and benefits a CASE tool can provide. EasyCASE requires an EGA or VGA (with EGA capability) card, Microsoft mouse or compatible and ideally an 8 MHz 80286 based PC or better, with at least 512 kbytes of RAM. An Intel 80287 or 80387 math co- processor will improve the speed of screen updates and chart draws, but is not absolutely necessary as EasyCASE was purposely written using mostly integer math for speed. Hard copy can be directed to a number of output devices which are compatible with the following; Epson FX, Epson LQ, Okidata Microline, IBM Graphics Printers, HPGL Plotters, Hewlett-Packard QuietJet, LaserJet (HPLJ) and DeskJet printers and Hewlett-Packard Plotters (HPGL). REGISTRATION : EasyCASE is a SHAREWARE product, the registration fee for which is $85 plus $5 shipping. WA state residents must add 8.1% sales tax ($7.29). Registration provides the user with the latest version of EasyCASE and a detailed, illustrated, laser printed and bound user manual which provides comprehensive information about CASE, structured analysis and design, methodologies, chart types and objects supported and information about the development, features and functions of EasyCASE. INSTALLATION : Create a sub-directory on your hard disk (for example C:\EASYCASE) and copy the main executable file EASYCASE.EXE and the display and printer font files (6X8FONT.BIN and 6X24FON.BIN) to it. Create another sub- directory (for example C:\EASYCASE\CHARTS) and copy the sample symbol files (SAMPLES.TRG, SAMPLES.STC and SAMPLES.STD and ACCS*.*) to it. Change to the EasyCASE directory and run EASYCASE.EXE. Refer to the Installation section of the User manual for complete information about installing, configuring and running EasyCASE. USER MANUAL : When file EASYCAS2.ARC is un-archived, file EASYCAS2.TXT is the user manual, pre-formatted for printing on any 'generic' printer (includes the Epson FX series etc.) which can print on 8.5 inch by 11 inch paper in 12 point (10 characters per inch horizontally) Pica text at 6 lines per inch. Do NOT set the printer for Performation Skip or Line Feed added to Carriage Return. Use the DOS PRINT command to print it. Note that this version of the manual is over 65 pages in length. Registering your copy of EasyCASE will provide you with a much more presentable laser printed copy as previously described. SAMPLES : File EASYCAS3.ARC, when un-archived provides a number of sample files, most of which are based on the Automobile Cruise Control System (see below). Note that the sample charts (SYMBOLS.TRG, SYMBOLS.STD and SYMBOLS.STC) are provided to show what each object, selectable from the main menu, for a given chart, looks like. Additional charts are provided, as examples for the different chart type objects available, for the Automobile Cruise Control System (ACCS) presented in Appendix A of Structured Development for Real Time Systems Volume 2: Essential Modeling Techniques by Paul T. Ward and Stephen J. Mellor published by Yourdon Press (Prentice-Hall) in 1985. All objects on these charts have been labelled, identified so these charts may be printed exported in dBASE III, Microsoft Windows Paint or PC Paintbrush format for further investigation.