Acquiring experiences with object-based and process-centered CASE environment architectures for configuration management systems

Investigations of the computer-aided software engineering (CASE) environment architectures of two generations of software configuration management systems are discussed. The investigations have taken place within the context of the portable common tool environment (PCTE) initiative as part of the PACT and ALF European projects. This research includes the design of software configuration and version management object and process models, and the development of underlying mechanisms and tools for supporting their enaction in object-based and process-centered CASE environments. The investigations have shown that a clear separation is needed between the components of the CASE environment that provide structures and mechanisms for version and configuration management and the ones that provide policies. It is concluded that PCTE is a good basis for supporting CASE environments, offering neutral structures and mechanisms on top of which more abstract mechanisms and tools can be built