The more intelligent the repository, the better. The highest level of repository, sometimes called an encyclopedia, contains the meanings of plans, models, and designs, and includes tools for cross-checking, validating, and coordinating this knowledge. The encyclopedia "understands" the plans, models, and designs and can enforce consistency across the representation. There are three levels of repository:
* Dictionary: A dictionary contains names and descriptions of data items, processes, and variables.
* Object Oriented Repository: An object-oriented repository contains knowledge about the objects in the system, their properties, and their behavior, and validates all information about the objects.
* Encyclopedia: An encyclopedia contains knowledge about plans, models, and designs and their objects. It applies rule-based processing to the entire design.
Repository-based CASE tools ensure consistency among diagrams and help enforce technical quality. They greatly reduce the amount of integration testing needed to combine the work of different developers or to incorporate reusable components into new applications.
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Section Overview : Tools
Overview : Table of Contents