JPWO2015136606A1 - Software development support apparatus, software development support method, and software development support program - Google Patents

Abstract

The control unit of the software development support apparatus (200) executes processing necessary at the design stage of the outline of software development of the actual machine (300) and processing necessary for confirming the operation of the actual machine (300) based on the outline design. After confirming the operation of the general design, processing necessary for a detailed design stage related to the general design and processing necessary for confirming the operation of the actual machine (300) based on the detailed design are executed. The control unit includes a design function unit that creates design information based on a summary design and a detailed design by a user operation, and a source code generation function unit that generates a source code for operating the actual machine (300) based on the design information. In addition, in order to operate the real machine (300), a communication function unit for transferring the source code to the real machine (300) is provided.

Description

  The present invention relates to a software development support apparatus, a software development support method, and a software development support program that support software development.

  The development of software for embedded devices is as follows: After creating the specifications, 2. Design document, 3. Code, 4. I am testing. Conventionally, for example, a technique for efficiently developing new software by combining a plurality of software components corresponding to a required function has been disclosed (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below).

JP 2002-342083 A

  In the conventional technique, the above 1. ~ 4. After completing each process, the next process was executed, and a specialized developer worked independently for each process. Therefore, the last 4. When debugging occurred in the test stage, it was necessary to return to the process that needed correction. At this time, it was necessary to specify the process that needed correction, and it took time for the return.

  In addition, there has been a case where a new correction is required for the preceding and succeeding processes due to the process correction. As a result, software development could not be performed efficiently, and the total man-hours could not be reduced.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to improve the efficiency of software development.

  In order to achieve the above object, the software development support apparatus of the present invention executes processing necessary in the design stage of the outline of software development of the target apparatus and processing necessary for checking the operation of the target apparatus based on the outline design And a control unit that executes processing necessary for a detailed design stage related to the outline design and processing necessary for operation confirmation of the target device based on the detailed design after confirming the operation of the outline design. It is characterized by that.

  The control unit includes a design function unit that creates design information based on the outline design and the detailed design by a user operation, and a source code generation function that generates a source code that operates the target device based on the design information. And a communication function unit for transferring the source code to the target device in order to operate the target device.

  In addition, when a problem occurs during the operation check of the outline design, the control unit executes the outline design and processing necessary for the operation check of the outline design again, and corrects the problem during the operation check of the outline design. It shifts to the said detailed design later, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  In addition, the control unit can confirm the operation of the target device corresponding to the display content by displaying the design information at the time of the outline design and the detailed design.

  In the software development support method of the present invention, the computer performs a process required in the design stage of the outline of the software development of the target device, a process necessary for checking the operation of the target device based on the outline design, and the operation of the outline design. After the confirmation, a process necessary for a detailed design stage related to the outline design and a process necessary for confirming the operation of the target device based on the detailed design are executed.

  The software development support program according to the present invention includes a computer that includes a process necessary for a design stage of an outline of software development of a target device, a process necessary for confirming the operation of the target device based on the summary design, and an operation of the summary design. After the confirmation, a process necessary for a detailed design stage related to the outline design and a process necessary for confirming the operation of the target device based on the detailed design are executed.

  According to the above configuration, after performing the outline design and the operation check, the detailed design and the operation check can be performed, and the software development can be performed by separating the outline design and the detailed design. In addition, since the operation is checked with the actual machine at the time of overview design and detailed design, the operation can be confirmed with the actual machine from the early stage of software development, and rework of the design can be prevented as much as possible, reducing the total development man-hours. become able to.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the efficiency of software development.

FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating an outline process of software development support supported by the software development support apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the software development support apparatus. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a kitchen timer as an example of an actual machine for software development. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a software development procedure according to the embodiment. (Part 1) FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a software development procedure according to the embodiment. (Part 2) FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a software development procedure according to the embodiment. (Part 3) FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram according to the program operation check of the software development support apparatus of the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a procedure for checking the program operation of the software development support apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram according to the automatic test execution of the software development support apparatus of the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a procedure for executing an automatic test of the software development support apparatus according to the embodiment.

(Embodiment)
Exemplary embodiments of a software development support apparatus, a software development support method, and a software development support program according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Summary processing of software development support)
FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating an outline process of software development support supported by the software development support apparatus according to the embodiment. The software development support device supports software development in the following procedure. In the following description, software development support using an embedded device as an actual device as a target device will be described as an example.

  First, a designer designs an outline of software using a software development support device (step S101). Thereafter, the outline of the designed software is operated on the actual machine, and the operation on the actual machine is confirmed (step S102). Here, when a problem occurs in the outline operation check and debugging or specification change is necessary, the process returns to step S101 and the outline design is corrected (dotted line in the figure).

  Next, the designer designs the details of the software using the software development support device (step S103). The details are more detailed design contents for some of the plurality of design items constituting the outline designed in step S101. Thereafter, the details of the designed software are operated on the actual machine, and the operation on the actual machine is confirmed (step S104).

  Then, it is determined whether a plurality of details included in the outline are designed and the actual machine confirmation is finished (step S105). If there are details not yet designed, the process returns to step S103 (No in step S105). On the other hand, if the design and the actual machine confirmation are completed for all details (step S105: Yes), the above processing is terminated.

  Note that after the processing in step S104, if a problem occurs in the detailed operation check and debugging or specification change is necessary, the process returns to step S103 to correct the detailed design. Note that if the outline design needs to be corrected, the process can return to step S101 (dotted line in the figure).

  According to the above processing, it is possible to separate the outline design from the detailed design, and to perform software development while confirming the operation of the design currently performed on the spot with the actual machine. As a result, the outline design can be performed only by the developer involved in the outline design, and the detailed design can be performed only by the developer involved in the detailed design. Therefore, development can be carried out only by developers directly related in each development process, and development can be made more efficient without unnecessarily burdening other developers (seats, etc.).

  In addition, since the operation is checked with the actual machine at the time of overview design and detailed design, the operation can be confirmed with the actual machine from the early stage of software development, and rework of the design can be prevented as much as possible, reducing the total development man-hours. become able to.

  As will be described in detail later, the software development support device and the actual machine are connected by communication, and the designed software (source code) is transferred to the actual machine so that the operation confirmation corresponding to the design can be performed in real time. Thus, more efficient software development can be performed.

(Hardware configuration of software development support device)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the software development support apparatus. In FIG. 2, a software development support apparatus 200 includes a control unit (CPU) 201, a read-only memory (ROM) 202, a random access memory (RAM) 203, a storage unit 204 such as a semiconductor memory or a disk drive, A communication interface (I / F) 205. The CPU 201 to communication interface 205, keyboard 206, and display 207 are connected by a bus 208, respectively.

  The CPU 201 is an arithmetic processing unit that controls the entire software development support apparatus 200. The ROM 202 is a non-volatile memory that stores a program of the software development support apparatus 200 and the like. A RAM 203 is a volatile memory that is used as a work area when the CPU 201 executes a program calculation process. The storage unit 204 stores and holds the created design data, actual machine operation data, and the like.

  The communication interface 205 serves as an interface with the network 210 and controls data input / output. Specifically, the communication interface 205 is connected to a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), the Internet, or the like that becomes the network 210 through a communication line, and is connected to other devices via the network 210. Further, the communication interface 205 is not limited to the network 210, and may be configured to connect to other devices by serial communication or USB connection.

  In particular, in the embodiment, an actual software development device (embedded device) is connected to the software development support apparatus 200 via the communication interface 205. Although the details will be described later, the source code created by the software development support apparatus 200 is transferred to the actual machine, and the compiler on the actual machine executes the script language source code in a VM (Virtual Machine) or interpreter format. As a result, the contents designed by the software development support apparatus 200 can be operated on an actual machine.

  The keyboard 206 is provided for inputting data by a user operation at the time of design or operation test. The display 207 is a device that displays design data and actual machine operation data read from the storage unit 204 by executing a program of the CPU 201. As the display 207, for example, a Thin Film Transistor (TFT) liquid crystal display unit, a plasma display unit, an organic EL display unit, and the like can be adopted.

(Software development example)
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a kitchen timer as an example of an actual machine for software development. The development of software for a kitchen timer as an embedded device will be described as an example. The kitchen timer 300 includes a display unit 301 and operation buttons 302.

  The operation button 302 includes a minute operation button 302a, a second operation button 302b, and a start / stop operation button 302c. Although not shown, it has a timekeeping function by a processor and a memory.

The kitchen timer 300 has the following three states and four events.
[State]
1. Stop state 2. Countdown state Alarm status [event]
1. Start / stop pressing event (hardware start / stop operation button 302c)
2. Minute pressing event (hardware minute operation button 302a)
3. Second press event (hardware second operation button 302b)
4). Timer notification event (CPU software processing: countdown completion notification)

  4 to 6 are diagrams for explaining a software development procedure according to the embodiment. First, as shown in FIG. 4, the outline design of the software development of the kitchen timer 300 is performed. In this outline design, the transition of the screen of the kitchen timer 300 is designed. 4 to 6 show screen state transitions, respectively, and the display contents of each screen shown in FIG.

  As will be described later, the software development support apparatus 200 connects the kitchen timer 300, which is an actual machine, to the software development support apparatus 200 and confirms the operation when designing the software development.

  In this outline design, a plurality of screens of the kitchen timer 300 are defined, and transitions between the screens are designed. The display screen of the display unit 301 includes a timer screen 401, a stopwatch screen 402, and a timer time setting screen 403.

  The timer screen 401 transitions to the timer time setting screen 403 when the timer expires (state transition: D1). The stopwatch screen 402 transitions to the timer time setting screen 403 by simultaneously pressing the minute operation button 302a and the second operation button 302b (state transition: D2).

  When the start / stop operation button 302c is pressed in a timer setting state other than 0 seconds, the timer time setting screen 403 transitions to the timer screen 401 (state transition: D3). In addition, when the start / stop operation button 302c is pressed in the timer setting state of 0 seconds, a transition is made to the stopwatch screen 402 (state transition: D4).

  As described above, in the overview design, only the display screens 401 to 403 of the display unit 301 and each screen transition are designed. At this time, the software development support apparatus 200 creates source codes including the display screens 401 to 403 and transitions D1 to D4 between the display screens, and transfers them to the kitchen timer 300 which is an actual machine.

  At the time of designing the outline of FIG. 4, the display screens 401 to 403 are set to contents that can identify the display screens 401 to 403, for example, “timer screen” is displayed as a character string in the case of the timer screen 401. Keep it. Thereby, the kitchen timer 300 connected to the software development support apparatus 200 changes the screen by the operation of the operation button 302 in the state of each display screen 401 to 403, and the user (developer) performs this screen transition (operation). It can be confirmed on the actual machine (kitchen timer 300).

  And by checking with this actual machine, it is possible to detect when the screen transition becomes redundant, problems that make the transition procedure complicated, screen shortage problems for functions, etc. at the time of this general design, It becomes possible to cope with.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the detailed design of the software development of the kitchen timer 300 is performed. In this detailed design, the contents (images, characters, etc.) to be displayed on each of the display screens 401 to 403 that are schematically designed with reference to FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 5, a timer count value 501 is displayed on each of the display screens 401 to 403 in units of 1 second in a time range of up to 1 hour.

  Images displayed on the display screens 401 to 403 may be images temporarily created by a specification designer or the like. Then, the created display contents (images, characters, etc.) can be dragged and dropped on the display screen of the software development support apparatus 200 into the display screen equivalent to the kitchen timer 300.

  Thereby, the kitchen timer 300 connected to the software development support apparatus 200 changes the screen by the operation of the operation button 302 in the state of each display screen 401 to 403, and the user (developer) can perform the operation at the time of the screen transition, That is, the sense of use such as the count state of the numerical value 501 can be confirmed on the actual machine (kitchen timer 300).

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the detailed design of the software development of the kitchen timer 300 is performed. In this detailed design, the design of each of the display screens 401 to 403 designed in detail according to FIG. 5 is designed more specifically. In the example illustrated in FIG. 6, an example in which a design 601 (corresponding to a character font) of a numerical value 501 for timer count on each of the display screens 401 to 403 is illustrated.

  Thereby, the kitchen timer 300 connected to the software development support apparatus 200 changes the screen by the operation of the operation button 302 in the state of each display screen 401 to 403, and the user (developer) can perform the operation at the time of the screen transition, That is, it is possible to confirm on the actual machine (kitchen timer 300) the sense of use of the count state of the numerical value 501 designed with the predetermined design 601.

  According to the above software development procedure, it is possible to detect a fundamental problem related to software development by actual machine operation at the stage of the outline design shown in FIG. Thereafter, the detailed design shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 can be performed.

  In this regard, conventionally, hierarchical software development as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 has not been performed. For example, when a problem occurs in the actual machine test after the detailed design shown in FIG. The outline design shown needs to be reviewed, and the man-hours required for reworking work increase. At the same time, after the correction, the detailed design shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 may be performed again.

(Function for checking program operation of software development support device)
FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram according to the program operation check of the software development support apparatus of the embodiment. This figure also shows the functions on the actual machine (kitchen timer 300) side.

  The software development support apparatus 200 includes a design function unit 701, a source code generation function unit 702, and a communication function unit 703.

  The design function unit 701 creates the design information 711 by performing the above-described general design and detailed design by user operation. The source code generation function unit 702 automatically generates a script language source code 712 based on the created design information 711. The source code 712 is transmitted to the actual device (kitchen timer 300) via the communication function unit 703.

  The functions of the design function unit 701 and the source code generation function unit 702 illustrated in FIG. 7 are executed by the control unit (CPU 201) illustrated in FIG. 2 executing a program stored in the ROM 202 and using the RAM 203 as a work area. realizable. The design information 711 and the source code 712 illustrated in FIG. 7 are stored and held in the storage unit 204 illustrated in FIG. The communication function unit 703 illustrated in FIG. 7 can be realized using the communication interface 205 illustrated in FIG.

  In addition to the basic function as a kitchen timer, the actual machine (kitchen timer 300) includes a communication function unit 721, a script language compiler unit 722, a script language execution unit 723, and a library function unit 724 as additional function units for program operation confirmation. And having. In addition, these additional function parts are about several hundred Kbytes as a whole, and the memory consumption and processing burden of the actual machine (kitchen timer 300) can be suppressed.

  The communication function unit 721 receives the source code 712 transmitted from the software development support apparatus 200. The script language compiler unit 722 compiles the source code 712 and generates a script language object code (user-created program) 732.

  The script language execution unit 723 executes the generated object code 732 on the VM. You may perform not only in VM but in an interpreter format. In the library function unit 724, a part requiring processing speed or a part for which processing is statically determined is created in advance in C language or the like and incorporated into a real machine (kitchen timer 300) as a library. Called.

  The actual machine (kitchen timer 300) also has the same CPU, ROM, RAM, and memory as in FIG. Further, the communication function unit 721 may be externally attached only when the program operation is confirmed.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a procedure for checking the program operation of the software development support apparatus according to the embodiment. The software development support apparatus 200 uses a general-purpose PC, and is connected to a real machine (kitchen timer 300) via a communication cable 800 and a network 210 by a communication interface 205.

  First, (1) the user designs software on the display screen 801 of the software development support apparatus (PC) 200. In this software design, state transition and screen layout are designed by the hierarchical structure of the above-described outline design and detailed design.

  Then, (2) the software development support apparatus (PC) 200 automatically generates a script language source code 712 from the design information 711. Next, (3) the software development support apparatus (PC) 200 transfers the source code 712 to the actual machine (kitchen timer 300).

  Next, (4) the source code 712 is passed to the script language compiler unit 722 running on the actual machine (kitchen timer 300) and compiled. Then, the generated object code 732 is executed on the script language execution unit (VM) 723.

  Thereby, the contents designed on the software development support apparatus 200 can be operated on the actual machine (kitchen timer 300). Then, as described above, this operation check can be performed at the time of general design and at the time of detailed design. Such hierarchical software development enables efficient software development because the operation of the actual machine (kitchen timer 300) can be performed directly in real time while being sequentially confirmed.

  The expected operation state based on the design information 711 is displayed on the display screen 801 of the software development support apparatus 200, and the operation state based on the execution of the source code 712 is displayed on the display unit 301 of the actual machine (kitchen timer 300). Is displayed. Therefore, design problems can be extracted based on the difference between the display screen 801 and the display unit 301.

(Software test support device automatic test execution function)
FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram according to the automatic test execution of the software development support apparatus of the embodiment. This figure also shows the functions on the actual machine (kitchen timer 300) side.

  After the predetermined design is completed by the program operation confirmation (see FIGS. 7 and 8), a test for confirming the operation of the actual machine (kitchen timer 300) can be automatically executed.

  The software development support apparatus 200 includes a test function unit 901 and a communication function unit 703 (see FIG. 7).

  The test function unit 901 creates test scenario data 911 based on a test scenario by a user operation. The test scenario data 911 is transferred to the actual machine (kitchen timer 300) via the communication function unit 703.

  The function of the test function unit 901 illustrated in FIG. 9 can also be realized by the CPU 201 illustrated in FIG. 2 executing a program stored in the ROM 202 and using the RAM 203 as a work area. The test scenario data 911 illustrated in FIG. 9 is stored and held in the storage unit 204 illustrated in FIG.

  The actual machine (kitchen timer 300) includes a communication function unit 721 and a test management function unit 921 as additional function units for automatic test execution in addition to the basic function as a kitchen timer.

  The communication function unit 721 receives the test scenario data 911 transmitted from the software development support apparatus 200. The test management function unit 921 reads and interprets the test scenario data 911.

  Then, the test management function unit 921 notifies the test creation information (event / data) to the user creation program 931, that is, the program (application) created as the actual machine (kitchen timer 300), and automatically performs the test. Run. In addition, the test management function unit 921 acquires the test execution result and transfers it to the software development support apparatus 200.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a procedure for executing an automatic test of the software development support apparatus according to the embodiment. The software development support apparatus 200 executes an automatic test on a program (application) created as an actual machine (kitchen timer 300) after the above-described program operation check (see FIG. 8).

  First, (1) Test scenario data 911 is created on the display screen 801 of the software development support apparatus (PC) 200 by a test scenario by a user operation. (2) The test scenario data 911 is transferred to the actual machine (kitchen timer 300) via the communication function unit 703.

  (3) The actual machine (kitchen timer 300) receives the test scenario data 911 transmitted from the software development support apparatus 200, and the test management function unit 921 reads and interprets the test scenario data 911. Then, the test management function unit 921 notifies the test information (event / data) for testing to the user creation program 931 (the application of the kitchen timer 300), and automatically executes the test.

  Thereafter, (4) the test management function unit 921 acquires the test result and transmits it to the software development support apparatus 200. (5) The software development support apparatus 200 receives the test result transmitted from the actual machine (kitchen timer 300) and manages the test result. For example, the test result is displayed on the display screen 801 of the software development support apparatus 200 or externally output.

  Thereby, the test data created on the software development support device 200 can be operated on the actual machine (kitchen timer 300) to execute an automatic test. The automatic test can be performed while directly viewing the operation of the real machine (kitchen timer 300) in real time in a state where the real machine (kitchen timer 300) is connected to the software development support apparatus 200.

  At this time, according to the test scenario data 911, for example, a test can be executed for each event, and a test execution result, for example, a pass / fail result or a test operation state can be sequentially confirmed, so that the test efficiency can be improved.

  In the above embodiment, the design example of the display of the kitchen timer has been described as an actual machine. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be similarly applied to various types of embedded devices and designs other than displays. It becomes possible to become.

  As described above, according to the embodiment, the software development can be performed by clearly separating the outline design and the detailed design, and the development can be promoted only by developers directly related in each development process. This can make development more efficient.

  In addition, since the operation can be checked with the actual machine at the time of the overview design and the detailed design, the operation can be confirmed with the actual machine from the early stage of software development, and rework of the design can be prevented as much as possible. Man-hours can be reduced.

  Furthermore, by transferring the test data to the actual machine, it becomes possible to automatically execute the test of the operation while directly viewing the operation of the actual machine in real time, which can improve the efficiency of software development including the test. It becomes like this.

  As described above, the present invention is useful for a device that supports program development of a target device such as an embedded device.

200 Software Development Support Device 201 CPU
202 ROM
203 RAM
204 storage unit 205 communication interface 300 actual machine (kitchen timer)
301 Display Unit 302 Operation Buttons 401 to 403, 801 Display Screen 701 Design Function Unit 702 Source Code Generation Function Unit 703, 721 Communication Function Unit 711 Design Information 712 Source Code 722 Script Language Compiler Unit 723 Script Language Execution Unit 724 Library Function Unit 732 Script language object code 800 Communication cable 901 Test function unit 911 Test scenario data 921 Test management function unit 931 User created program

Claims (6)

Performing processing necessary at the design stage of the outline of software development of the target device and processing necessary for confirming the operation of the target device based on the outline design;
A control unit that executes processing necessary for a detailed design stage related to the outline design and processing necessary for operation confirmation of the target device based on the detailed design after confirming the operation of the outline design;
A software development support apparatus characterized by comprising: The controller is
A design function unit for creating design information based on the outline design and the detailed design by a user operation;
A source code generation function unit that generates a source code for operating the target device based on the design information;
And a communication function unit that transfers the source code to the target device to operate the target device.
The software development support apparatus according to claim 1. The controller is
If a problem occurs during operation check of the outline design, the outline design and processing necessary for operation check of the outline design are executed again,
Transition to the detailed design after correcting the problem when confirming the operation of the general design,
The software development support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the software development support apparatus is a software development support apparatus. The controller is
By displaying the design information at the time of the outline design and the detailed design, the operation of the target device corresponding to the display content can be confirmed,
The software development support apparatus according to claim 2. Computer
Processing required in the design stage of the outline of software development of the target device, processing required for operation confirmation of the target device based on the general design,
After the operation check of the outline design, a process necessary for a detailed design stage related to the outline design, a process necessary for the operation check of the target device based on the detailed design,
Software development support method characterized by executing On the computer,
Processing required in the design stage of the outline of software development of the target device, processing required for operation confirmation of the target device based on the general design,
After the operation check of the outline design, a process necessary for a detailed design stage related to the outline design, a process necessary for the operation check of the target device based on the detailed design,
A software development support program characterized by causing

Images