JP3447365B2 - Object-oriented programming support device and object-oriented programming support method - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improvement in an object-oriented programming support device for supporting object-oriented programming, and more particularly to an equivalent conversion of a network structure between classes of a program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, object-oriented programming has become popular as one of software development methods.
Here, object-oriented programming expresses the real thing that the software processes by means of "objects" (sometimes called "instances"), which are the actual entities on the software, and represent information about real things and their behavior. , "Attributes" representing characteristics, states, and relationships with other objects for describing the internal data of the object, and the processing procedure of this attribute for rewriting attributes and calling other operation functions Is a method defined as an “operation function” that represents According to such object-oriented programming, since the information structure of the real thing is simulated on the software structure, it is possible to realize software with a clear structure and excellent maintainability.

Such object-oriented programming is performed by an object-oriented programming language such as C ++.

Generally, in order to perform object-oriented programming, an object-oriented design technique for developing a program for each module that constitutes a node of a network is premised. That is, in an object-oriented programming language, a program is composed of (usually a plurality of) classes that are its modules and relationships among the classes, and a plurality of objects perform processing by mutually calling operation functions. In object-oriented programming, since the information structure of the real thing is reflected in each module (class) like this, the contents of each module become objectively easy to understand and the reusability of each module is improved. It will be improved.

The object is realized on the computer for the first time when the source code of the program is compiled and the execution module is executed on the computer, and its attribute is also assigned to the memory area of the computer. Only at a point can we have a concrete value. For this reason, each class of the program has a role as a template for an object and its attributes and operation functions, and all objects having the same attributes and operation functions are collectively defined in one class. In the actual programming work, the definition of each individual class and the relationship between the classes are expressed based on the grammar of the programming language.

The relationships between the classes in the object-oriented programming language are roughly divided into inheritance, inclusion, and association.

Here, "inheritance" is a relationship in which a class (child class) can inherit the attributes and operation functions defined in another class (parent class) without redefining. This relationship is represented by a predetermined description in the class and defines the network structure of the entire program. From the viewpoint of the child class, the relationship between the inheritance parent class and the third class can be regarded as equivalent to the relationship between the child class itself and the third class. Can represent multiple structures. In addition, the development efficiency, reliability, and compactness of the program can be improved by omitting re-description of the definition. On the other hand, when the attribute or operation function defined in the parent class is changed, the child class inherits the changed attribute or operation function, so the effect of the change is not limited to the inside of the parent class, and it affects the child class as well. Reach

"Inclusion" is a relationship in which a class (entire class) includes another class (partial class) as its own component. This relationship is also represented by a predetermined description in the class, and using this relationship facilitates stepwise program development and class / library utilization of the class.

Furthermore, "association" is a general relationship indicating that there is a communication relationship between classes, and is neither inheritance nor inclusion.

Each class constitutes an inter-class network structure by being linked by these inter-class relationships, and this structure becomes the structure of the entire program.

An object-oriented programming support device is known as a device for supporting such object-oriented programming. This device is a device having various functions necessary for object-oriented programming, such as displaying various elements of a program such as an interclass network structure in a diagram (chart). By using this device, the user can improve development efficiency and reliability in object-oriented programming.

[0012]

However, the conventional object-oriented programming support device is provided with means for automatically changing the inter-class network structure and individual class definitions by eliminating or generating the inter-class relation as described above. Didn't. Therefore, there are the following problems.

(1) That is, first, when the influence of the content change of one class spreads to other classes through the inter-class relation, it is difficult to change a part of the program. For example, if the attribute or operation function defined in the parent class is also used in the child class through the inheritance relationship, if the attribute or operation function is changed in the parent class, this change will be propagated to the child class through the inheritance relationship. As a result, the behavior of the child class may be incomplete. For this reason, when a part of the program is changed, the user has to manually perform the complicated work of determining the spread range of the change and making a necessary change in the range.

Further, in order to avoid the spread of such changes, it is necessary to eliminate the inter-class relation in advance, but in order to eliminate the inter-class relation, inheritance and inclusion contents are required. It was necessary to re-describe the definition information of each class on the side of inheritance or inclusion, and it was complicated to perform such work manually. Therefore, conventionally, it has been difficult to change some programs quickly and accurately, and it has been impossible to sufficiently improve the development efficiency and reliability of the programs.

(2) In the program development process,
At the analysis stage where the definition range and inter-class network structure in each class are clarified, the class network changes frequently due to the nature of the work. Even in such a case, the change of the inter-class network structure as described above has to be done manually, and it has been difficult to perform prompt processing.

(3) Furthermore, as a result of the inability to automatically change the inter-class network structure that eliminates the inter-class relationship, it is also difficult to realize a simple inter-class network structure with excellent listability. . Conventionally, in order to distribute operation functions and classes that have been individually and independently declared in each class, it is inevitable to manually distribute these specific tasks and operation functions and classes. It was difficult to do.

Note that the change of the inter-class network structure due to the elimination of the inter-class relation as described above is performed on the premise that the semantic structure of the entire program becomes equivalent before and after the change. Equivalent conversion ".
In other words, "equivalent conversion" means changing the internal structure of the behavior of the program by changing the attributes of the class data included in the program data and the arrangement of operation functions , and
This is a change in the inter-class network structure due to the change in the relationship between the classes , and the behavior of the program will not change even if the visual inter-class network structure changes before and after the change .
Ras is changed, but attributes and operation functions are not changed.
Because, the processing result of the whole program becomes equivalent before and after the change, programmatic semantic structure is technology that is equivalent before and after the change.

The present invention has been proposed in order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and its object is to provide an object-oriented programming support device for performing equivalent conversion of an inter-class network structure. is there. Another object of the present invention is to provide an object-oriented programming support device capable of equivalent conversion even for a program in an incomplete stage. Another object of the present invention is to provide an object-oriented programming support device that outputs program data that allows easy understanding of program contents.

[0019]

In order to achieve the above object, an object-oriented programming device according to a first aspect of the present invention uses an attribute representing the content of a class, class data including an operation function, and relational data representing a relation between classes. An input unit configured to input program data representing an inter-class network structure including a parent class and a child class having an inheritance relationship, a storage unit storing the class data and the relationship data input from the input unit, and the program Conversion range input means for inputting a conversion range for the inter-class network structure represented by data, conversion mode input means for inputting a conversion mode for the conversion range, input of the conversion range, and distribution of operation functions as the conversion modes Is input, it corresponds to the conversion range from the relational data stored in the storage means. To identify the class, the operation function of the class data of the parent class in the relevant class and add copied to child classes with an inheritance relationship with the parent class, by deleting the operation function of the parent class, before conversion of the interclass network And a conversion means for converting into program data representing an inter-class network structure equivalent to the structure.

Further, the invention of claim 2 is composed of class data showing the contents of classes and relational data showing the relation between classes, and is program data showing an inter-class network structure including a parent class and a child class having an inheritance relation. Input means for inputting, a storage means for storing the class data and the relational data input from the input means, a conversion range input means for inputting a conversion range for the inter-class network structure represented by the program data, A conversion mode input means for inputting a conversion mode for the conversion range, and a conversion range from the relational data stored in the storage means when the conversion range is input and the inclusion relationship or the relationship is resolved as the conversion mode. The class corresponding to the The Sudeta, conversion means the change in the relationship between the child class having an inheritance relationship with the parent class, and converts the program data representing the interclass network structure equivalent to the interclass network structure before conversion,
It is characterized by having.

According to the invention of claim 3, the program data is composed of class data representing the contents of the class and relationship data representing the inter-class relationship, and represents the inter-class network structure including a parent class and a child class having an inheritance relationship. Input means for inputting, a storage means for storing the class data and the relational data input from the input means, a conversion range input means for inputting a conversion range for the inter-class network structure represented by the program data, Conversion mode input means for inputting a conversion mode for the conversion range;
When the conversion range is input and the inheritance relationship is canceled as the conversion mode, the class corresponding to the conversion range is specified from the relationship data stored in the storage unit, and the class data of the parent class in the corresponding class is specified. Is additionally copied to a child class having an inheritance relationship with the parent class, the relationship between the parent class and the child class is deleted, and program data representing an inter-class network structure equivalent to the inter-class network structure before conversion is created. And a conversion means for converting .

Further, the invention of claim 4 is such that the contents of the class are
From the class data that represents and the relationship data that represents the relationship between classes
Contains parent and child classes that are constructed and have inheritance relationships
Enter the program data that represents the inter-class network structure
Input means to input and the class input from this input means
Storage means for storing data and related data;
The inter-class network structure represented by ram data
Conversion range input means for inputting a conversion range by
A conversion mode input means for inputting a conversion mode for the enclosure;
Conversion rangeMultiple classes were entered asIn case
Corresponds to the conversion range from the stored relational data
The class day that identifies the class and is common to the class
The upper abstract class that includes the
Inherit the class data of the generated superior class,
An inter-class network equivalent to the inter-class network structure
Converted to program data that represents the network structureConversion means
And are included.

According to the invention of claim 5, input means for inputting program data representing an inter-class network structure composed of class data including attributes indicating class contents and operation functions and relationship data representing inter-class relationships. A storage unit for storing the class data and the relational data input from the input unit; a conversion range input unit for inputting a conversion range for the inter-class network structure represented by the program data; and a conversion mode for the conversion range. And a conversion mode input means for inputting the conversion range, and referring to the relational data stored in the storage means in association with the input of the conversion range, a class corresponding to the conversion range is specified, and the corresponding class is input based on the input conversion mode. When less additional copy or delete or related data changes stored class data in the memory means class One was carried out, and having a conversion means for converting the program data representing a network structure equivalent to between-class network structure between the classes before conversion.

Further, the invention of claim 6 sets the content of the class
From the class data that represents and the relationship data that represents the relationship between classes
Program that represents the inter-class network structure that is configured
Input means to input data and input from this input means
Storage means for storing the class data and the relational data,
Interclass network represented by the program data
A conversion range input means for inputting a conversion range for the structure,
A conversion mode input for inputting a conversion mode for the conversion range
Means and the storage means, as the conversion range is input.
Corresponds to the conversion range by referring to the stored relational data
The class is specified, and based on the input conversion mode,
The class data stored in the storage means of the corresponding class
Or the inter-class net before conversion by changing the relational data
A network that represents an inter-class network structure equivalent to the work structure.
And a conversion means for converting into program data .

Further, the invention of claim 7 is based on claims 1 to 6.
In the object-oriented programming support device described in [3], the relational data is between classes having a class relation.
It is characterized by including a bidirectional link set to .

The invention of claim 8 is the same as claims 1 to 6.
In the object-oriented programming support device described in the paragraph 1, there is an output means for outputting the program data in a diagram format, and at least one of inter-class network structure represented by program data before or after conversion in the conversion means . Is output in a diagram format.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the object-oriented programming support device according to the fifth or sixth aspect, the converting means inputs the conversion range,
A class corresponding to the conversion range and another class having a relationship with this class are identified by referring to the relationship data stored in the storage unit, and the relationship data of the corresponding class is specified based on the input conversion mode. It is characterized in that the change of is propagated to the other classes.

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[0039]

[0040]

The present invention having the above structure has the following functions. That is, in the inventions according to claims 1 to 6 , if the range and the mode of the equivalent conversion are input, the range of the conversion is specified from the relational data representing the interclass relationship in the program data representing the interclass network structure, and the mode Based on, the program data that represents the inter-class network structure is converted . This transformation is
Since the inter-class network structure represented by the program data is automatically converted , the efficiency and reliability of program development are improved. In addition, since the aspect of the conversion can be designated, the process of making the independence of each class effective is easy.

According to the invention of claim 7, the relational data is
Data is set between classes that have class relationships.
Which class is involved in the inter-class relationship because it includes a bidirectional link
Even based on this link, from others involved in the relationship
The class of can be specified.

According to the invention of claim 8, the program is
Before conversion, you can output the system data in diagram format.
And the program data after conversion become easy to understand.
Moreover, it becomes easy to grasp visually.

[0043] In the invention of claim 9, wherein the converting means <br/> is, the conversion of the inter-class relationship, so to spread to other classes having relationships with class corresponding to the conversion range, the inter-class relationship There is no discrepancy between them.

[0044]

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[0060]

EXAMPLE Next, an object-oriented programming support device (hereinafter referred to as "this device") which is an embodiment of the present invention.
Will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. The device is realized on a computer, and each function of the device is realized by operating the computer according to a predetermined procedure stored as a program.
Therefore, the present apparatus will be described below assuming a virtual circuit block (means) having each function of the present apparatus.

The computer is generally a C
It has a PU (central processing unit) and a main storage device composed of a RAM (random writing / reading type storage element). Further, the scale of the computer is arbitrary, such as microcomputers, personal computers, small computers,
Any size, such as workstation or mainframe, may be used.

The hardware of the computer is typically an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse, an external storage device such as a hard disk device, and a CRT.
It includes an output device such as a display device and a printer printer, and necessary input / output control circuits.

However, the hardware configuration of the computer is arbitrary, and as long as the present invention can be implemented, some of the above components may be added / changed / excluded. For example, the device may be realized on a computer network in which a plurality of computers are connected. Also, the type of CPU is arbitrary, and multiple CPUs can be used simultaneously or a single CP can be used.
U may be used for time sharing (time division), and a plurality of processes may be simultaneously performed in parallel. Further, as the input device, another device, for example, a pointing device such as a touch panel, a light pen, or a trackball, an image input device such as a digitizer, an image reading device, a video camera, a voice recognition device, or various sensors may be used. . Further, as an external storage device, other devices such as a floppy disk device, a RAM card device, a magnetic tape device,
An optical disk device, a magneto-optical disk device, a bubble memory device, a flash memory or the like may be used. Further, as an output device, another device such as a liquid crystal display device / plasma display device / video projector / LED
A display device / sound generation circuit / voice synthesis circuit may be used.

Further, as a software configuration for realizing the present apparatus in the computer, typically, an application program for realizing each function of the present apparatus is executed on an OS (operating system). Embodiments are possible. In addition, as a mode of a program for realizing the present apparatus, typically, a machine language compiled (translated) from a high-level language or an assembler can be considered. However, the software configuration of the computer is also free, and the software configuration may be changed as long as the present invention can be implemented. For example, it is not always necessary to use the OS, the expression format of the program is free, and an interpreter (sequential interpretation execution type) language such as BASIC may be used.

The program can be stored in any manner, and may be stored in a ROM (read-only memory), or stored in an external storage device such as a hard disk drive when the computer is started or when the computer is started. It may be loaded into the main memory at the start of processing. Alternatively, the program may be divided into a plurality of parts and stored in an external storage device, and only the necessary modules may be loaded (read) into the main memory at any time according to the processing content. further,
The parts of the program may be stored differently.

Each "means" in this specification is a conceptual one corresponding to each function of the present apparatus, and does not necessarily mean a one-to-one correspondence with a specific hardware or software routine. For example, the same hardware element may in some cases constitute different means. Also, one means may be realized by only one instruction, or may be realized by a large number of instructions.

The execution order of each step of each procedure in the present embodiment may be changed, a plurality of steps may be executed at the same time, or a different order may be executed for each execution. Such a change in the order is performed in a menu-type interface , for example, when the user selects an executable process.
It can be realized by the face method .

The term "input" used in this specification includes not only the original input of information but also other processing closely related to the input of information. Such processing is, for example, outputting (echoback) of the input content to the output device for confirmation, and correcting / editing the input content. Also,
The "output" in this specification includes not only the original output of information but also other processing closely related to the output of information. Such processing is, for example, input of a range to be output or an instruction for screen scrolling. Note that input and output may be realized by an integrated operation using an interactive interface, and such an integrated operation may be applied to input processing based on some output information such as selection, designation, and specification. obtain.

Data (information) in the present specification
The data storage means may exist in any form on the computer. For example, the location part of the data on the hardware is the main storage device / external storage device /
It may be any part such as a CPU register or a cache memory. Further, the data retention mode is also free. For example, the data may be held and accessed not only in a file format but also by directly accessing a storage device such as a memory or a disk by a physical address. Also, the expression format of the data is free.
For example, the character string may be stored as a code for each character or a code for each word. Further, it is sufficient that the data is retained for the required fixed time, and the data may be deleted thereafter, and the retention time is free. Information that is not changed for the time being, such as dictionary data, may be stored in the ROM.

Further, in this specification, reference to specific information is a confirmation and does not deny the existence of information not referred to. That is, in the operation of the present invention, general information necessary for the operation, such as various pointers, counters, flags, parameters, buffers, etc., is appropriately used.

The information required by each part of the apparatus for processing is obtained from the other part holding the information unless otherwise specified. Such acquisition of information can be realized, for example, by accessing a variable or memory that stores the information. The information can be erased / erased by not actually deleting the content itself of the information from the storage area, but by changing the modification of the information, such as setting a flag indicating the deletion.

Although the present apparatus is implemented on a computer, all or some of the functions of the apparatus may be implemented on a dedicated electronic circuit.

[1. Configuration of Embodiment] First, FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of the present apparatus. That is, the present device has an input keyboard 1, an output display device 2, and an I / O control circuit 3, as shown in this figure. Further, the present apparatus establishes a class data input unit 4 for inputting class data representing the contents of each class constituting a program from the keyboard 1 and an inter-class relationship among inheritance / inclusion / association between the classes. the relationship data representing and a related <br/> engagement data input unit 5 to input from the keyboard 1. The class data and the relational data correspond to the program data of claim 1.

Further, this apparatus has a class data file 6 for storing the class data and a relational data file 7 for storing the relational data.

The apparatus further includes a conversion range input section 8 for inputting the range of equivalent conversion for the inter-class network structure of the program from the keyboard 1, and a conversion mode input section 9 for inputting the conversion mode from the keyboard 1. have. The conversion range input unit 8 constitutes the conversion range input means of claim 1 together with the keyboard 1 and the I / O control circuit 3. The conversion mode input unit 9 constitutes the conversion mode input means of claim 1 together with the keyboard 1 and the I / O control circuit 3. Further, the present apparatus has an equivalence conversion unit 10 (corresponding to the equivalence conversion means of claim 1) that equivalence-converts the class data and the relational data based on the range and the aspect. The mode of the equivalent conversion performed in this device is the distribution of operation functions, the inclusion relation,
Related eliminated, but is a cancellation of the inheritance relationship, these equivalent variation
Specific contents of the conversion, that is, the processing procedure and output form of each mode
Formulas and the like will be described later.

Further, the present apparatus has a generating unit 11 for generating the display data of the diagram based on the class data and the relational data, and the generating unit 11 is the I / O.
The control circuit 3 and the display device 2 constitute the data output means of claim 9. In addition, the present apparatus includes a display range input unit 12 for inputting the display range of the diagram from the keyboard 1, and a display format of the diagram for the keyboard 1.
And a display format input section 13 for inputting from. The display range input section 12 constitutes the output range input means of claim 15 together with the keyboard 1 and the I / O control circuit 3. Further, the display format input unit 13 is the keyboard 1
And the I / O control circuit 3 constitute the output format input means of claim 9. A mouse (not shown) is connected to the apparatus as a pointing device. When the user moves the mouse, the mouse pointer displayed on the display screen moves in association with the mouse.

[2. Operation of Embodiment] The present embodiment having the above-described configuration has the following operation. That is, first, the user operates the keyboard 1.
Perform the operation for class data input, and enter the class data.
When the force section 4 inputs class data from the keyboard 1 ,
The class data file 6 stores each class data.
In addition, the user can use the keyboard 1 to enter related data.
, And the related data input section 5 from the keyboard 1
When the relational data is input , the relational data file 7 stores each class data.

As the data included in the relationship data, a bidirectional link is set between the classes for which the interclass relationship is set. By doing so, the opposite party class of the interclass relationship can be specified from either side of the interclass relationship based on this link. Further, the inheritance relationship can be traced in multiple steps toward the parent class and toward the child class, and the inclusion relationship can be traced from one of the whole class or the partial class to the other. Therefore, it becomes possible to grasp the entire relationship between classes.

FIG. 2 shows the general format of the class data in this embodiment. "Position data" is the display position coordinates of the class in the diagram display on the screen, and "Relationship" is The data for identifying the class related to the class is shown. Further, FIG. 3 shows a general format of relational data in this embodiment. In this Figure 3
The "position data" is displayed in a diagram on the screen.
Table of symbols that represent the relationships between classes in multiple classes
Indicates the position coordinates, and the "class information" is the
Shows individual information about each class to display
ing. In addition, "relationship type" represents the type of interclass relation of inheritance, inclusion, or inclusion, and "connection position data" is a symbol that represents the interclass relation in the diagram display on the screen. The positional relationship is shown. 4, 5, and 6 show specific examples of class data, and FIG. 7 shows specific examples of relational data.

As described above, in the present apparatus, the class data and the relational data include the position data, and the position data indicates the display position of the frame representing the class and the figure representing the interclass relationship in the diagram display. Therefore, it is not necessary to calculate the placement position of each class at the time of display, and the display with an appropriate positional relationship according to the inter-class relationship is automatically realized.

Further, in this embodiment, not the program data such as the source code but the class data representing the contents of each class and the relational data representing the relation between the classes are used as the program data. Therefore, it is possible to treat the internal data of the class and the external relationship of the class as independent problems.

Further, the degree of concreteness of these class data and relational data is arbitrary. Therefore, even when the concrete contents of the program are not decided, such as the design stage of the program, by inputting the data related to the decided inter-class network structure, the equivalent conversion can be performed as in the completed program. it can.

When the generator 11 generates the display data of the diagram based on the class data and the relational data, the diagram represented by this display data is displayed on the display device 2. In addition, the user
If you want to change the display range of the diagram (that is, the range of the class to be displayed among the class data and related data) or the display format, use the keyboard 1 to display the range.
Perform the operation for selecting the area and display with the display range input unit 12.
Enter (select) the range or select the display format
Input the display format by operating the display format input unit 13
(Select) .

As described above, in this apparatus, since the output range and format of the program data can be input from the output range input means and the output format input means, the user can output the program data in the range that matches the purpose of use. Obtainable.

When the program data input / displayed in this way is equivalently converted, the conversion range is input (selected) from the keyboard 1 via the conversion range input unit 8 and via the conversion mode input unit 9. The conversion mode may be input (selected) from the keyboard 1. When the conversion range and the conversion mode are input in this way, the equivalence conversion unit 10 equivalently converts the class data and the relational data based on the conversion range and the conversion mode. The inter-class network structure of the program represented by the class data and the relational data is
That is, the structure is represented by the class data and the relational data, and the equivalent conversion of the class data and the relational data means the equivalent conversion of the inter-class network structure of the program represented by them.

Here, FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing an example of the processing procedure from the display of the diagram to the equivalent conversion in this apparatus. The order of each step such as input may be autonomously controlled by the apparatus by an interactive input / output procedure, or may be voluntarily determined by the user by a menu type input / output procedure.

In the procedure of FIG. 8, the distribution of the operation function is automatically performed by copying the operation function of the parent class in the inheritance relationship into the child class and deleting the attribute or the operation function from the parent class. Done. In addition, the inclusion relationship / relationship is resolved by using the included class (partial class) included in the parent class, which is the entire class, as a partial class of each child class, or by using another class connected in association with the parent class for each child. This is done automatically by connecting with a class in association, and instead deleting the inclusive relationship or association between the subclass and the parent class. Further, the inheritance relationship is automatically canceled by copying all the attributes and operation functions of the parent class into the child class and deleting the inheritance relationship between the parent class and the child class.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the distribution of operation functions, the resolution of inheritance relationships, and the resolution of inclusion relationships / relationships can be specified as the form of equivalence conversion, so that the process of improving the independence of each class is easy. Is. Further, in the present embodiment, since these equivalent conversions are automatically performed, it is not necessary to manually perform these operations.

[3. Example of Equivalent Conversion] Next, an example of equivalent conversion using the present device will be described. Figure 9
It is an example of the content output display of the class data and the relational data input to this device, and is a diagram in which a list of class names is displayed in a diagram format. In the diagram display of this device, each class is represented by a square frame, and the name of each class is represented in each frame. Further, the relationship between classes is represented by a line connecting the frames, and the different relationship is represented by the shape of the line. That is, the inheritance relationship is represented by adding a triangle to the line connecting the parent class and the child class, and the inclusion relationship is represented by adding a diamond to the whole class side of the line connecting the whole class and the partial classes. Expressed by a line connecting classes. The display range can be freely selected for each class.

As described above, in this apparatus, the diagram format can be selected as the output format of the program data, so that the program data before conversion and after conversion can be easily understood. Further, in the present apparatus, in the output of the diagram format, each class is represented by a predetermined frame, and the inter-class relation between each class is represented by a different shape according to the type of the relation. You can see at a glance.

That is, when the generating unit 11 draws a diagram, first, based on the class data of each class, a frame (that is, a box) indicating each class and a class name are drawn. Next, based on the relationship data, each relationship is drawn as a symbol. The symbol is drawn by determining the related class and its direction for each association.

In FIG. 9, the parent class "Title" has an inheritance relationship with the child classes "DocTitle" and "RtrvTitle", and the parent class "Title" has the child class "DocTitle" and the child class "RtrvTitle". Have common elements. further,
Parent class "Title" is a partial class from the perspective of the whole class "Key"
It has an inclusive relationship that includes "Word".

The display range can be selected on a class-by-class basis, and as the display format, the display of the class definition in these classes can also be selected. here,
A class definition is a definition of a class attribute or operation function performed in each class.

On this screen, to perform equivalent conversion,
First, the range to be converted is selected. The conversion target can be selected in units of classes or in units of inter-class relationships. Therefore, it is easy to limit the conversion target to a necessary and sufficient range.

[3-1. Distribution of Operation Function] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure of “distribution of operation function” which is one of conversion modes. In this procedure, the user first specifies a class to be converted (step 101).

That is, when the user clicks the menu button "conversion processing" at the upper left of the screen with the mouse, a pull-down menu showing the type of processing is displayed (FIG. 1).
1). This menu will continue to be displayed as long as you hold down the click button. When the user moves the mouse while holding down the click button of the mouse (drag), the display of the process pointed by the mouse pointer is highlighted (FIG. 11). In this way, when the user releases the button while a certain process is highlighted, the process is selected and executed.

At this time, if "designate target" is selected (FIG. 11), a message field at the bottom of the screen indicates that the target of equivalent conversion should be designated. In this state, when the user clicks a box with the mouse, the box is selected, and the class definition such as the name, attribute, and function of the box is added to the new window (subwindow) corresponding to the class based on the class data. Is displayed in a table format (Fig. 12). In Figure 12, on the original window,
Subwindows that are smaller than the original window are displayed overlapping.

Therefore, when the user clicks a plurality of boxes, the number of clicked sub-windows appears, and the class names, attributes, and functions of each class are displayed in a list in each sub-window (FIG. 13). In this way, in this apparatus, since the output format of the program data can be input from the output format input means through the mouse, the user can obtain the output of the program data in the format that matches the purpose of use.

In this device, the output format is as follows.
You can also choose to display class data, including class attributes and manipulation functions. In this device, this output format is used in combination with the diagram display. Therefore, by performing the specified operation in the diagram display,
Specific class data can also be output, further improving the understandability of the program contents.

In particular, in the present apparatus, when the diagram is displayed in one window on the multi-window display screen and the user performs a predetermined operation on the frame of the class with a pointing device such as a mouse. , The class data of the class is displayed in a subwindow which is a new window corresponding to the class. Therefore, it is possible to confirm only the required class data in a simple operation and in an easy-to-understand format.

Subsequently, when the user selects "Distribution of operation function" from the "Conversion process" menu as the conversion mode (FIG. 14), a message indicating that the function to be distributed should be selected is displayed in the message field. The function to be distributed is selected (step 102). That is, when the user clicks one or more functions displayed in the sub window of the class, each clicked function is selected and highlighted (FIG. 15). Also, the class name to which the selected function belongs, the relationships that the class has, and all the classes involved in each relationship are specified. As described above, in the present embodiment, the distribution target of the operation function can be selected in units of functions, so that it becomes easy to limit the distribution target to necessary and sufficient functions.

When the function is selected in this way, the child class to which the function is distributed can be specified, and that effect is displayed in the message column (FIG. 15). In this state, when the user clicks the symbol indicating inheritance,
The inheritance relationship is selected (step 103), and boxes of all classes involved in the inheritance relationship are highlighted (FIG. 16).

In FIG. 16, the class "Title" is used as the parent class and the class "DocTitl" is used as the child class.
"e" and "RtrvTitle" are selected. Also, the int type operation function setKey (int i of the parent class "Title" has
d) is selected. Then, it is confirmed using the message field whether or not the conversion process is executed.

When the user instructs execution by a predetermined operation such as key input (FIG. 16), the selected operation function is distributed to the selected child class. That is, all the child classes selected in the lower order (step 104) are sequentially specified (step 105), and the specified function is changed from the class data of the upper parent class to the class data of all the specified child classes. The function is copied and added to the function group (step 106), and then the copy source function is deleted from the function group of the parent class (step 107). afterwards,
The diagram is drawn again based on the data updated by the distribution (step 108, FIG. 17). After the distribution, if the user clicks the box of the child class, the class definition of the child class is displayed in the subwindow. (FIG. 18), the user can confirm the distribution result.

In this figure, the int type operation function setKey (int id) possessed by the parent class "Title" is the individual child class "D".
ocTitle "and child class" RtrvTitle ".

[3-2. Resolution of Inclusion Relationship / Relationship] FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the procedure of “resolution of inclusion relationship / relationship” which is another conversion mode. In this procedure, the user first specifies the partial class for which the equivalence conversion is to be performed, as described in "Distribution of operation function" (step 191, FIG. 11, FIG. 20). This designation is made by pointing to the class to be distributed (Fig. 2
0), the class definition for the specified class is displayed in the sub-window. Here, the distribution target may be selected in units of functions, and the selected function is highlighted.

Next, when the user selects "resolve inclusion relation / association" from the "conversion process" menu (FIG. 2).
1) The equivalence conversion, that is, a state in which an inheritance relationship serving as a distribution path can be designated (step 192, FIG. 22). In this state, when the user clicks the symbol indicating inheritance (FIG. 22), the inheritance relationship is selected, all the classes involved in the inheritance relationship are specified based on the relationship data, and the boxes for these classes are displayed. Inverted display (Fig. 2
3).

Next, when the user instructs execution by a predetermined operation such as a key input operation (FIG. 23), the designated (selected) class is distributed. That is, first, all lower child classes (step 193) having an inheritance relationship with the upper class having an inheritance relationship are sequentially specified (step 194), and the class type of the specified class or the specified class is specified from the attribute group of the parent class. The attributes of the pointer to the class are copied and added to the attribute groups of all the specified child classes (step 195), and these copied data are deleted from the parent class (step 196).

Thereafter, the diagram is drawn again based on the data updated by the distribution (step 1
97, FIG. 24). In this drawing, with the specified class,
Each class that is a child class in the inheritance relationship is directly connected by a line or symbol that represents the relationship, and the symbol that connects the parent class and the designated class in the inheritance relationship is deleted.

In FIG. 24, the inclusion relationship between the parent class "Title" and the partial class "KeyWord" is resolved, and the class "KeyWor" is deleted.
d "is directly included in the classes" DocTitle "and" RtrvTitle ".

After the resolution, if the user clicks the box of each class, the class definition of each class is displayed in the sub-window, so that the user can confirm the result of the resolution (FIG. 25).

[3-3. Resolution of Inheritance Relationship] FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing a procedure of “resolution of inheritance relationship” which is another conversion mode. In this procedure, when the user selects "Resolve inheritance relationship" in the "Conversion process" menu as the conversion mode (FIG. 27), the equivalent conversion, that is, the inheritance relationship to be resolved is selected (step). 261). In this state, when the user clicks the symbol indicating inheritance, the inheritance relationship is selected and the boxes of all classes involved in the inheritance relationship are highlighted (FIG. 23). In FIG. 23, the class "Title" is selected as the parent class, and the classes "DocTitle" and "RtrvTitle" are selected as the child classes.

Then, when the user instructs execution by a predetermined operation such as a key input operation (FIG. 23), the selected inheritance relationship is canceled. That is, first, the parent class of the inheritance relationship is specified based on the relationship data (step 2
62), all lower child classes (step 263) having an inheritance relationship with this parent class are sequentially specified (step 264), and the values of the attribute groups of the parent class are specified. To the group (step 265) and to the function groups of all the child classes in which the values of the function group of the parent class are specified (step 266), respectively, and added.
Then the parent class is deleted.

Thereafter, the diagram is drawn again based on the data updated by the resolution (step 2).
67, FIG. 28). In this drawing, each class that was connected to the parent class in the inheritance relationship and each class that was a child class in the inheritance relationship were connected by lines or symbols representing the relationship, and were the superclasses. The class box and the symbol representing the resolved inheritance relationship are deleted.

After the solution, if the user clicks the box of the class that was the child class, the class definition of the class is displayed in the sub window, so that the user can confirm the distribution result (Fig. 29). In FIG. 29, in the class definitions of the classes "DocTitle" and "RtrvTitle", the char * type attribute that the parent class "Title" had
While KeyWord [21] and int type operation function setKey (int id) are added as their own definitions, the inheritance relationship between class "Title" and classes "DocTitle" and "RtrvTitle" has been deleted.

[4. Effect of Embodiment] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the equivalent conversion of the inter-class network structure represented by the class data and the relational data is performed by the equivalence conversion unit 10 when the conversion range and mode are input. It is done automatically. This equivalent conversion is
That is, it means that the inter-class network structure represented by the program data is automatically equivalently converted, so that the efficiency and reliability of program development are improved.

Further, according to this embodiment, the generation unit 11
Since the display data is generated in the diagram format for the display device 2, it is easy to understand the contents of the class data and the relational data before and after the conversion.

[0118] Further, in this embodiment, the user can specify the output range of the diagram, it is possible to specify the output format of the diagram, it is possible to obtain a diagram that matches the purpose.

In particular, in this embodiment, as the program data representing the contents of the program, not the program data itself but the class data representing the contents of each class and the relational data representing the relationship between the classes are used. And, the degree of concreteness of the class data and the relational data is free.
Therefore, even when the specific contents of the program are undecided, such as in the design stage of the program, if only these data corresponding to the decided inter-class network structure are input, equivalent conversion will be performed as in the completed program. It can be carried out.

[5. Other Embodiments] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments,
Since the embodiment can be freely changed, the following other examples are also included. For example, in the above embodiment, the class data and the relational data are used as the program data, but the source code itself of the completed program may be used as the program data. Further, in the above embodiment, the class data and the relational data may be stored in advance in this device.

The specific contents such as the notation grammar of the object-oriented programming language, the relationship between classes, the mode of equivalence conversion, and the display format are not limited to those shown in the above embodiment, and can be freely determined.

Specifically, if attributes and operation functions common to each class are collected to generate a higher-level abstract class, and equivalent conversion is performed so that the lower-level class inherits these, it is easy to obtain a good list. A program can be realized. Further, if the conversion of a certain interclass relation is automatically applied to the multistage interclass relations linked to this relation, the manual correction of the program due to the influence of the equivalence conversion is minimized.

The concrete contents of the equivalent conversion, that is,
Definition means is provided to define the processing procedure and output format of each mode.
If you do, the user is free to specify the specific contents of the equivalent conversion.
Since it can be decided, the actual
It is easy to apply .

Further, the program data may be output without depending on the diagram format. Further, when the source code itself is processed as the program data, the display format may be selected to display the program text itself or the inter-class network structure of the program.

[0125]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an object-oriented programming support device that performs equivalent conversion of an inter-class network structure.
Improves software development efficiency and reliability.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a general format of class data in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a general format of relational data according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a specific example of class data according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a specific example of class data according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a specific example of class data according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a specific example of relational data according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a screen display example according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure of distributing operation functions in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a screen display example according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a screen display example according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a screen display example according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a screen display example according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a screen display example according to the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 16 is a screen display example according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a screen display example according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a screen display example according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing a procedure for resolving an inclusion relation / association according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a screen display example according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a screen display example according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a screen display example according to the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 23 is a screen display example according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a screen display example according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a screen display example according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a flow chart showing the procedure for resolving inheritance relationships in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a screen display example according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a screen display example according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 29 is a screen display example according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: Keyboard 2: Display device 3: I / O control circuit 4: Class data input section 5: Relational data input section 6: Class data file 7: Relationship data file 8: Conversion range input section 9: Conversion mode input unit 10: Equivalent conversion unit 11: Generation unit 12: Display range input section 13: Display format input section STEP: Each step of the procedure

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-4-279932 (JP, A) JP-A-1-116729 (JP, A) International publication 91/19237 (WO, A1) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06F 9/06 G06F 9/44

Claims (9)

(57) [Claims] 1. Program data representing an inter-class network structure including a parent class and a child class having an inheritance relationship, which is composed of class data including attributes indicating class contents, operation data, and relationship data indicating inter-class relationships. Input means for inputting, storage means for storing the class data and relational data input from the input means, conversion range input means for inputting a conversion range for the inter-class network structure represented by the program data, and the conversion When a conversion mode input means for inputting a conversion mode for the range and an input of the conversion range and an operation function distribution as the conversion mode are input, the conversion range corresponds from the relational data stored in the storage means. Specify the class and specify the operation function of the class data of the parent class in the relevant class and the inheritance relation with the parent class. A conversion means for additionally copying to a child class having a relation, deleting the operation function of the parent class, and converting into program data representing an interclass network structure equivalent to the interclass network structure before conversion. An object-oriented programming support device. 2. Class data and class representing content of class
It is composed of relational data that represents the relationships between
Inter-class network structure including parent and child classes
Input means for inputting program data representing a structure, Class data and relational data input from this input means
Storage means for storing Interclass network represented by the program data
A conversion range input means for inputting a conversion range for the structure, A conversion mode input for inputting a conversion mode for the conversion range
Means and The input of the conversion range and the inclusion relation as the conversion mode
Or when the cancellation of the relation is input, the storage means
From the stored relationship data, select the class corresponding to the conversion range
Identify and contain the parent class in the applicable class or
Inherit the class data of the related class from the parent class
Before conversion, change to the relationship with the child class that has the relationship
An inter-class network equivalent to the inter-class network structure
Converted to program data that represents the network structureConversion means
When, Object oriented programming characterized by having
Support device. 3. Input means for inputting program data representing an inter-class network structure including a parent class and a child class having an inheritance relationship, the input means comprising class data representing class contents and relationship data representing inter-class relationships, A storage unit for storing the class data and the relational data input from the input unit, a conversion range input unit for inputting a conversion range for the inter-class network structure represented by the program data, and a conversion mode for the conversion range. When the conversion mode input means for inputting and the input of the conversion range and the resolution of the inheritance relationship as the conversion mode are input, the class corresponding to the conversion range is specified from the relational data stored in the storage means, the class data of the parent class in the relevant class, add double the child class with an inheritance relationship with the parent class Object-oriented, and delete the relationship of the parent class and a child class and a conversion means for converting the program data representing the interclass network structure equivalent to the interclass network structure before the conversion, characterized in that it has a Programming support device. 4. The class data and class representing the contents of the class
It is composed of relational data that represents the relationships between
Inter-class network structure including parent and child classes
Input means for inputting program data representing a structure, Class data and relational data input from this input means
Storage means for storing Interclass network represented by the program data
A conversion range input means for inputting a conversion range for the structure, Input the conversion mode for the conversion range
Force means, Conversion rangeMultiple classes were entered asIn case
Corresponds to the conversion range from the stored relational data
The class day that identifies the class and is common to the class
The upper abstract class that includes the
Inherit the class data of the generated superior class,
An inter-class network equivalent to the inter-class network structure
Converted to program data that represents the network structureConversion means
When, Object oriented programming characterized by having
Support device. 5. Input means for inputting program data representing an inter-class network structure composed of class data including attributes and operation functions representing class contents and relationship data representing inter-class relationships, and input from this input means. Means for storing the generated class data and relational data, a conversion range input means for inputting a conversion range for the inter-class network structure represented by the program data, and a conversion mode input means for inputting a conversion mode for the conversion range. With the input of the conversion range, a class corresponding to the conversion range is specified by referring to the relational data stored in the storage unit, and stored in the storage unit of the corresponding class based on the input conversion mode. at least one carried out pre-conversion has been the class data added copied or deleted or relationship data change Object-oriented programming support apparatus characterized by having a conversion means for converting the program data representing a network structure equivalent to between-class network structure between the classes. 6. Input means for inputting program data representing an inter-class network structure composed of class data representing class contents and relationship data representing inter-class relationships, and relationship with the class data input from this input means. Storage means for storing data; conversion range input means for inputting a conversion range for the inter-class network structure represented by the program data; conversion mode input means for inputting a conversion mode for the conversion range; Along with the input, the class corresponding to the conversion range is specified by referring to the relational data stored in the storage unit, and the class data stored in the storage unit of the corresponding class based on the input conversion mode or An inter-class network equivalent to the inter-class network structure before conversion by changing the relational data Object-oriented programming support apparatus characterized by having a conversion means for converting the program data representing the structure. 7. The object-oriented programming support device according to claim 1, wherein the relational data includes a bidirectional link set between each class having a class relation. 8. An output means for outputting the program data in a diagram format, wherein at least one of an inter-class network structure represented by the program data before or after conversion in the conversion means is output in a diagram format. The object-oriented programming support device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: 9. The conversion means specifies a class corresponding to the conversion range and another class having a relationship with this class by referring to the relational data stored in the storage means in accordance with the input of the conversion range. The object-oriented programming support device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the change of the relational data of the corresponding class is propagated to the other classes based on the input conversion mode.