Project in Object-oriented Design of Information Systems

Week 1: Introduction, Visual Paradigm

Lesson outline:

  • Semester outline
  • Student responsibilities
    • Regular attendance
      • Attendance will be monitored since the third week.
      • 1 non-excused absences during the semester (since the third week).
    • Regular work on UML models
      • In general, models will focus on the application of software patterns in software life cycle as well as component-based system development.
      • Concrete models required for successful assessment will be specified during the semester
      • Weekly results delivery will be required
  • Introduction to Visual Paradigm
    • See Visual Paradigm FAQs bellow
  • Case study introduction
    • Masaryk University has developed an information system, referred to as IS MU. This system consists of many modules covering wide range of university activities, e.g. complete study agenda, classroom management, e-shop etc. In our project, we will suppose that the development of IS MU reached maintenance limits. Every change in the code produces many errors in unrelated parts of the system which makes the system maintenance very complicated. This is the common situation after the continuous long time adaptation of a system to user requirements. Our goal is therefore to refactor the system in the way that the new architecture will strictly adopt component-based design.
    • Our refactoring comprises several phases. During the first phase, that has been already done, initial use case model has been outlined. This model comes from current IS MU services and represents the top-level overview to the most important modules. Another phases, e.g. analysis, design of selected components, components assembly, etc., will follow.

Tasks for students:

  • Team formation: Appoint couples
  • Download and open IS MU project with initial models 
  • Go through the use case model in order to understand the problem domain. Find possible inconsistencies with the behavior of the real IS MU.  Discuss uncertain aspects of the system.
  • Write short documentation for every use case in the model (can be in Czech):
    • Right-click on the use case then open "Specification -> General Tab".
    • 1-3 sentences describing crucial aspects of the use case (e.g. key services).
  • Homework:
    • Read the specification of the Ollie's Order Centre , pages 31-33. This demo system will be used in next lessons to demonstrate the application of analysis and design patterns.
  • Submission instructions:
    • Submit a PDF report of the specified Use Case model by this Friday, add surnames of all team members to the report name.

Visual Paradigm FAQs

Can I use Visual Paradigm at home?

Yes, for academic purposes. You have two options:

How to Activate License Key in Visual Paradigm?

  • We use bulk installation at FI and then no key activation is necessary anymore. For home usage see previous question.

How to enable PDF export from VP?

PDF export is available via Tools -> Doc -> Generate PDF. If you do not see this option (and are in new Sleek GUI), you can enable it by:
  • Choose "Window" -> "Application Options"
  • Tab "General" -> "Environment"
  • Tick checkbox "Document Generation (Obsolete)"
  • Restart the application.

How to avoid incorrect Czech letters encoding in PDF reports?

  • Tools -> Doc -> Generate PDF Doc...
  • Tab "Options"
  • Font: Arial (or other Czech font)

How to switch to classical GUI and vice versa?

Visual paradigm provide two types of GUI since version 12.1. To switch between them follow next steps:
  • Sleek GUI: choose "Window" -> "Application Options"
  • Classic GUI: choose "Tools" -> "Application Options ..."
  • "General", tab "Appearance"
  • User Interface: choose either classic or sleek
  • Restart the application.

How to switch Visual Paradigm to English?

  • Menu "Window" -> "Volby aplikační" (in classic GUI: "Nástroje" -> "Volby aplikační ...")
  • "Obecné" (first item in the list in the left hand side), tab "Vzhled"
  • Choose "English" in the section "Instalovaný uživatelský jazyk"
  • Click to "Použít".
  • Restart the application.