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Methods & Tools - News, Facts & Comments Edition - August 2005

*** News ***************************************************************

* Borland Looses its Head

At the beginning of July, Borland announced that its CEO Dale Fuller will leave the company. At the same time, Borland said that it was expecting an important loss for its second quarter ending June 30.

During its 6 years as CEO of Borland, Dale Fuller has seen a lot of changes: adopting again the name of Borland after changing it to Inprise, a failed merger with Corel in 2000, the acquisitions of TogetherSoft and Starbase in 2002 and finally the celebration of the 20 years of the company in 2003.

Fuller has refocused the company to its core IDE competencies and expanded its product offering to cover a larger part of the software development life cycle, but Borland is now facing a tougher environment. On one side, the open source movement produces free IDEs, like Eclipse or NetBeans, which compete directly with Borland's products. On the other side, commercial competitors are either also giving for free competitive products (like Oracle with JDeveloper) or beginning to expand their product line (like Microsoft with its future modelling tool). This means that Borland could perhaps survive only if it will offer something (support, consulting) that allows the company to differentiate itself with its current, open source or commercial, competitors.

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* www.softdevnews.com

Get continuous software development news from web resources on our new RSS-based portal. Go to http://www.softdevnews.com

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* M&T Press Releases Forums

You can view the last product and company press releases from software development tools vendors on our forums.

*** Numbers ************************************************************

* Tools for Functional Software Testing

In our last poll, we were trying to determine if the software developers have automated tools to validate the behaviour of their software. The question was: do you use tools to automate execution of functional software tests?

Here are the answers:

  • My organisation has no tool for functional software tests...........38%
  • My organisation has tools, but my project or I do not use them......26%
  • I use tools for functional tests....................................36%

Participants: 147

In these results, you can see either a half-full or a half-empty glass. A majority of organisations have functional test tools, but a majority of the respondents do not use them. There are many good reasons for this, like the fact that these tools could be restricted to a specific environment within the organisation and that the respondents are developing software in a different context. In my experience, the problem is also often that managers had the budget to buy the tools, but did not take into consideration the budget and time needed to train people to the new tools and use them in real projects.

Poll in association with Forum Logiciel (http://www.forumlogiciel.net)

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* UML Widespread Adoption: Myth or Reality?

In 1997, the Object Management Group (OMG) made the UML a standard modelling language for object-oriented applications. Since then, it has been seen as the dominant set of techniques for software analysis and design. So one might think that UML is widely adopted by software development organisations. Let's check this with our new poll asking the following question: at what stage is the UML modelling techniques (use case, class, object, sequence diagrams) adoption at your location?

Go to www.methodsandtools.com/dynpoll/vote.php to participate and to see intermediate results. The final results will be published in a future issue.

*** Books **************************************************************

If you liked the articles of Lisa Crispin, Matt Stephens, Doug Rosenberg and Sinan Si Alhir in our Summer 2005 issue, find more about their knowledge in the following books:

* Testing Extreme Programming

This practical tutorial for software builders demonstrates how testing is central to the extreme programming (XP) approach and explains what testing should be done and when and how it should be performed. It overviews the XP methodology, defines the roles of XP team members, shows how to write effective tests before coding begins, and sheds light on refactoring and how it relates to testing. A "road hazard survival kit" offers advice on challenges in testability, project tune-ups, large projects, and extreme testing without extreme programming

To get more details on this book or buy it on amazon.com click below: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0321113551/methotools-20

To get more details on this book or buy it on amazon.co.uk click below:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0321113551/methotools-21

* Agile Development with ICONIX Process: People, Process, and Pragmatism

This book describes using the ICONIX Process (an object modeling process) in an agile software project. To do this, the book defines a core agile subset—so those of you who want to "get agile" need not spend years learning to do it. Instead, you can simply read this book and apply the core subset of techniques. The book follows a real-life .NET/C# project from inception and UML modeling, to working code—through several iterations. You can then go on-line to compare the finished product with the initial set of use cases.

To get more details on this book or buy it on amazon.com click below:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1590594649/methotools-20

To get more details on this book or buy it on amazon.co.uk click below:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1590594649/methotools-21

* Extreme Programming Refactored: The Case Against XP

This book wants to provide an independent look at Extreme Programming. It is meant to cut through the marketing hype of Extreme Programming and expose a number of weaknesses with this approach to software development. It tries to draw a distinction between true "agility" in a software process and "fragility" inherent in techniques such as oral documentation. Extreme Programming (XP) is a consummate mix of good goals, some good advice, and lots of bad advice. The goals and the good advice draw people in; the bad advice can potentially cause projects to fail. XP therefore represents a high-risk process, wrapped in a "feel-good" methodology.

To get more details on this book or buy it on amazon.com click below:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1590590961/methotools-20

To get more details on this book or buy it on amazon.co.uk click below:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1590590961/methotools-21

* Use Case Driven Object Modeling with UML: A Practical Approach

The author's approach to software relies heavily on customer requirements and use case scenarios for which he has a good deal of practical advice. He provides numerous hints for avoiding bogged-down diagrams. After preliminary design, he advocates drilling down into specifics with robustness diagrams, which trace how classes interact with one another. The most detailed design work comes next with sequence diagrams. Subsequent chapters offer tips on project management, implementation, and testing.

To get more details on this book or buy it on amazon.com click below:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0201432897/methotools-20

To get more details on this book or buy it on amazon.co.uk click below:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0201432897/methotools-21

* Applying Use Case Driven Object Modeling with UML

This workbook is a companion to Use Case Driven Object Modeling with UML. It bridges the gap between the theory presented in the main book and the practical issues involved in the development of an Internet e-commerce application. The hands-on exercises allow you to detect, identify, and correct critical errors on your own, before reviewing the solutions provided in the book.

To get more details on this book or buy it on amazon.com click below:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0201730391/methotools-20

To get more details on this book or buy it on amazon.co.uk click below:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0201730391/methotools-21

* UML in a Nutshell: A Desktop Quick Reference (Nutshell Handbook)

The Unified Modeling Language (UML), for the first time in the history of systems engineering, gives practitioners a common language. This concise quick reference explains how to use each component of the language, including its extension mechanisms and the Object Constraint Language (OCL)

To get more details on this book or buy it on amazon.com click below:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1565924487/methotools-20

To get more details on this book or buy it on amazon.co.uk click below:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1565924487/methotools-21

* Guide to Applying the UML

"Guide to Applying the UML" offers a practical bridge between tutorials and reference works, demonstrating how all of the elements of the UML fit together. It closes the gap between the UML and process using a "roadmap" that addresses the key decision points and their relationships, providing a comprehensive framework. The focus is on rules of usage and principles of composition, style guidelines, practical real-world examples, and a tool-, process-, and technology-independent roadmap for effectively and successfully applying the UML.

To get more details on this book or buy it on amazon.com click below:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0387952098/methotools-20

To get more details on this book or buy it on amazon.co.uk click below:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0387952098/methotools-21

* Learning the UML

Learning UML introduces UML and places it in perspective, then leads you through an orderly progress towards mastery of the language. You'll begin by learning how UML is used to model the structure of a system. Many key UML concepts, especially that of the general (classes) versus the specific (objects), are illustrated in the chapter on class and object diagrams. Next, you'll learn how to use use-case diagrams to model the functionality of a system. Finally, you'll see how component and deployment diagrams are used to model the way in which a system is deployed in a physical environment.

To get more details on this book or buy it on amazon.com click below:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0596003447/methotools-20

To get more details on this book or buy it on amazon.co.uk click below:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0596003447/methotools-21

*** Conferences ********************************************************

* Agile Business Conference, September 27-28, London

Keynote sessions from Craig Larman, Martin Fowler and Tom Gilb. This year’s focus is on Agile methods in action with case studies and workshops.

http://www.agileconference.org

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* Zend/PHP Conference, October 18-21, San Francisco

The Zend/PHP Conference is the only U.S.-based PHP conference this year and the only place where PHP and business come together. Come hear from the experts and from the companies that have deployed real PHP applications to solve real business problems. There will be a range of tutorials and sessions for both technical and business attendees evaluating or using PHP. Early Registration Discounts Close on August 31st – Register now and save! For more details on speakers, sessions, or to register, go to:

http://zend.kbconferences.com

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* SOFTWARE TEST & PERFORMANCE November 1-3, New York

The Software Test & Performance Conference focuses on testing and performance issues for software developers, development managers, test/QA managers and senior test professionals. This year's conference, scheduled for November 1-3, 2005 at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City. For more information, and to register, go to

www.stpcon.com

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* XP Day Benelux 2005, November 17-18, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

In the tradition of the XP Day conferences, XP Day Benelux 2005 is a two day conference on all things agile for business and technical people from all walks of life. This year's edition will be held in Rotterdam, The Netherlands on November 17th and 18th.

http://www.xpday.net

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* JavaPolis 2005 December 12-16, Antwerp, Belgium

Once again JavaPolis will dominate the European Java landscape with its fourth edition. This 5-day conference will bring you the biggest names in Java, the hottest issues and the latest trends. With a low-cost entrance fee and high-quality content, it has become 'the apache of conferences'. Block December 12th-16th in your agenda and make sure not to miss JavaPolis 2005.

Visit http://www.javapolis.com for more information.

*** M&T News ***********************************************************

In the Fall 2005 issue published at the end of September, you will find articles about:

  • * Capturing Requirements in Story Form
  • * Use Case Points
  • * Domain-Specific Modelling

In future issues, you will find articles on:

  • * Open Source Software Evaluation
  • * Project Time Management
  • * Services Oriented Architecture
  • * Continuous Integration

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* Software Development News RSS Portal

Martinig & Associates opens a new web site gathering on the web RSS feeds focused on software development. If you want to get the pulse about what is happening in the global software development world or just for your favourite development language or tool, go to http://www.softdevnews.com

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The content of this publication cannot be reproduced without prior written consent of the publisher - Copyright (C) 2005, Martinig & Associates

 
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