The relationship between CAD and software development support-a database perspective

Much attention is currently being given to the development of environments of tools to help throughout the software development life cycle, with data shared through a central database. Similarly, CAD systems are promoted within VLSI chip design, architectural design and related areas as providing equivalent advantages. This paper provides a detailed comparison of these fields from a data modelling perspective. A database schema used to model component VLSI designs is described and discussed, showing how the same schema can be used with minimum changes to model the design of software components. The paper also examines the data modelling facilities of a prototype IPSE and shows how the existing schema can be fully supported in this environment