3/16/2012

Enterprise Patterns and MDA: Building Better Software with Archetype Patterns and UML Review

Enterprise Patterns and MDA: Building Better Software with Archetype Patterns and UML
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Nominally, this book presents "archetype patterns", using UML and an extended case study. The archetype idea, intermediate between a general design pattern and a specific application, is a valuable one. In the case study, it's a set of business meta-objects, operations, and organizing principles. In presenting the archetype abstraction, those objects are spelled out in enough detail to create a useable framework for routine business needs.

The archetype mechanism is also spelled out in great detail, almost wholly within the UML framework. By itself, this won't be enough to convince any UML doubters about UML's flexibility. Taken as one among many UML applications, however, it's very compelling. It's also the first reference I know that gets down to cases in applying MDA - an interesting view. I fault the technique for only two things. First is a slight dependence on a specific CASEproduct, ArcStyler. That reliance never turned all the way into an advertisement, so I'll let it pass. Second is a baffling section on "rules." The rules and rule mechanisms make sense, but inexplicably seem to re-create the features of the OCL.

Two extras make this presentation very attractive. First is the mention of "literate programming," tying the UML tool suite to user documentation and design documentation. They specifically note XML and DocBook, existing standards, as the vehicle for integrating prose and technical parts of the model. Bravo! Even if their LP tools are weak, use of the idea is a real strength. The second extra is a pervasive awareness of standards. Money is phrased in terms of ISO 4217, nations in terms of ISO 3166, books in terms of ISBNs (ISO 2108), and on and on. Far too few programmers realize how many of their software requirements are already spelled out in external standardslike these, so the consciousness-raising exercise is a good one.

This is an excellent resource, not just for its business objects and not just for its UML case study. The author treat even personal names (table 4.4) with more care than I've seen anywhere else - that care pervades the whole book, and is a lesson in itself.
//wiredweird

Click Here to see more reviews about: Enterprise Patterns and MDA: Building Better Software with Archetype Patterns and UML

This book presents a proven method of successfully addressing the significant challenges of developing applications for the business world. Borrowing from their significant experience in corporate development, the authors present a catalog of proven and supremely useful patterns that can be applied to the idiosyncrasies of the business domain. This book also explains how to use Model-Driven Architecture to increase the efficiency of your designs, and how to further the capabilities of the industry-standard Unified Modeling Language. The result is a practical, no-nonsense approach to building robust business applications that can be immediately applied in a corporate setting.

Buy NowGet 19% OFF

Click here for more information about Enterprise Patterns and MDA: Building Better Software with Archetype Patterns and UML

No comments:

Post a Comment