Introduction › Getting Started › The Software Development Process

The Software Development Process

The typical software development process for database applications can be categorized into six phases (not necessarily in this order):

• Data modeling
• User interface design
• Function logic design and implementation
• Generation
• Execution
• Deployment

Data Modeling

Data modeling is the process of determining:

• What data your application uses
• What structure your application uses
• How the various elements of the structure interact

  You usually use a diagramming tool for this stage; seeing a visual representation of the objects in your database helps to get a mental picture of your data. Diagrams enable you to specify entities and their attributes, with relationships between entities. For more information on the CA Plex diagramming tool, see the chapter "Diagramming Entity Relationships."

User Interface Design

This stage is usually handled at the same time as the function logic design. In this stage, you create the panels that the program uses to enable end users to interact with the data. For more information on CA Plex user interface design tool, see the chapter "Modifying the User Interface."

Function Logic Design and Implementation

In this stage, you determine how the data is manipulated, and how the user interface elements interact. For more information on CA Plex function logic design tool, see the chapter "Defining Owned by Relationships."

Generation

After you finish the data modeling, user interface design, and function logic design, you generate the code from the CA Plex model, and then build the generated code into user‑executable program files. For more information on generating and building objects, see the chapter "Defining Entities."

Execution

After successful generation and building, you run the generated application to test its functionality. During this phase, you typically return to some or all of the previous stages to remedy problems and add enhancements.

Deployment

After you finish all of the preceding stages, you deploy your application to your end users. At this stage, you have already created all supporting material, such as help files.