Generic Lifecycle Support in the ALMA Environment

ALMA is an environment kernel supporting the elaboration, analysis, documentation, and maintenance of the various products developed during an entire software lifecycle. Its central component is an environment database in which properties about software objects and relations are collected. Two kinds of tools are provided: high-level tools and syntax-directed tools. A basic feature of the ALMA kernel is its genericity. Tools of the first kind are parameterized on software lifecycle models while tools of the second kind are parameterized on formalisms. Versions of specific models and formalisms are generated by a meta-environment, which also generates the environment databasestructure tailored to the desired lifecycle model. The database support meta system and the instatiated database support systems it generates are emphasized, including the architectural design decisions made and the mechanisms introduced for achieving parameterization on lifecycle models