Retooling Software Engineering

This document outlines the recommendations of the Internal CASE Initiative at Digital Equipment Corporation as of January 1994. The goal of this initiative was to improve software engineering productivity, time-to-market, and quality by providing a contemporary development environment. The report proposes standardized tools and technologies across several key areas:

• Software Reuse: Establishing a reuse library support center.
• Integrated Development Environments (IDE): Recommending Microsoft Visual C++ for Windows and DEC FUSE for OSF/1.
• GUI Programming: Standardizing on the Microsoft Windows API and Microsoft Foundation Class Library (MFC).
• Configuration Management: Standardizing on Atria Software's ClearCase.
• Code Quality and Testing: Promoting the use of code checkers (DEC C -check, Gimpel PC-lint) and establishing a Software Testing Expertise Center.
• Debugging and Performance: Using a combination of best-in-class tools and investing in porting/integration efforts.

The report emphasizes that these recommendations should be implemented incrementally, beginning with pilot projects in FY94 before wider deployment in FY95, and stresses the need for ongoing management and infrastructure support.