Monday, August 27, 2001		Article

Designing software for large projects
Sumesh Raizada

ANY civil engineering project, whether building, dam or a bridge, involves different stages of planning, design, construction and modification, before these actually become functional for the user. Similarly in any software project whether large or small, various stages are involved so that the product is able to achieve its ultimate purpose. Prior to the design of software, the objective and requirement of user are completely defined and analysed. Various financial as well as operational implications are studied and a broad layout is prepared for the software design. The process of building an entire software system is called Object-Oriented Analysis and Design (OOAD). It is a methodology through which software for large projects are designed and implemented.

An object in any project is extremely important, as it is the first step for modelling a software design and is basically a collection of attributes and behaviour of the program. It forms a model in which software interact with the environment in the real environment. With object oriented analysis and design process, software is much more effective and easier to maintain as all requirement are set in advance and chances of failure are minimised. It helps in preparing the model of the software system as per the requirement and the same is then converted into the programming codes. OOAD plays a vital role in any software development and hence enormous career potential exists for the professionals in this field.

Designing an object-oriented system consists of identifying the object for a particular system, its behaviour and attributes and how the object interacts in environment. An object-oriented program can be easily modified and possibility of errors during its modification or maintenance is fairly less. For OOAD, the most commonly applied system language is UML or Unified Modeling Language. It is used to represent the design model and includes concepts like architecture, objects, classes, components, etc. Some of the compatible object-oriented languages are C++, Java or Visual Basic, which are used for converting system model into the actual real world software code. OOAD programming methodology includes concepts like encapsulation, polymorphism, inheritance, data abstraction, etc. An OOAD professional first understands the objective or requirement of a project and then develop a model that best suits those objectives. A professional needs to have analytical and logical skills for developing an effective model.

A person interested in a career in OOAD has to be a graduate in engineering, MBA or MCA. Presently several institutes that offer software courses, include OOAD in their curriculum.

Though a person going in for a career as a OOAD professional need not be proficient in programming languages yet knowledge of object-oriented languages like Java, C++ etc. helps them in getting better understanding of OOAD modeling tools like UML, etc. Some of the concepts that are taken up in the curriculum of OOAD includes modelling and system analysis, OOAD concepts, use cases, classes and class diagram, object diagram, packages, etc. Some major institutes are NIIT, Aptech, Datapro, CMC, etc. Also, a number of universities and colleges that are taking up courses on MCA, software engineering or e-commerce, take up OOAD in their curriculum. The cost of course may vary depending upon its duration and institute that are offering those courses. Usually a 4 to 6 weeks course may cost up to Rs.10, 000. Keeping in view the importance, a number of leading software firms like TCS, Wipro, Infosys, etc. are offering vacancies for OOAD professionals for their prestigious and large projects. Those working as system analyst or programmers have a bright prospect to succeed as an OOAD professional. The remuneration earned by them range from Rs.1 lakh to Rs. 5 lakh per annum or more.

OOAD professionals are in great demand abroad where continuous efforts are being made to upgrade existing software or design a new one. Just as any engineering project require specialists for various jobs like carpentry, plumbing or electric fittings, etc., similarly, major software companies require OOAD professionals in addition to analysts, designers or programmers, for their software projects.

Rational Software Corporation, based at Bangalore and a subsidiary of US firm, pioneered the concept of OOAD and employs professionals to provide support, training and consultancy on its various tools and technology to client firms. Rational Software also conducts short-term courses to make participants aware of the concept of OOAD with the help of UML. IBM through its various education centres, conduct advanced course in software that includes curriculum on OOAD. These courses help students to improve their programming as well as analytical competence with respect to latest environment. The course fees range around Rs. 50,000 for classroom and practical training.

Subex Systems Limited, another US firm through its various divisions, provides software services for telecom products. In India it is based at Bangalore and offers career opportunity for the software model designers. The module leaders or programmers should at least have a couple of years of experience in quality procedures, VC++, OOAD, JAVA, CORBA, etc. A technical architect, employed by the firm should have experience of 6 to 8 years in the design and development of application software and must be proficient in OOAD, PERL, CGI, Oracle, etc. Designers and system architects are responsible for conceiving the architecture and design in real time applications. They are also required to have sufficient exposure of OOAD methodology like UML, Booch, etc. The development engineers needs to have a experience in OOAD besides exposure to technologies like C++, VC++, DCOM, HTML, etc.

Honeywell India Software Operation (HISO) a subsidiary of SSL, Bangalore, develops software technology platform for various application and deals in research and development for the design of software solutions. The firm employs project executives and managers for designing large software systems. The candidate should be engineering graduate in computer science or MCA with exposure to real time system design and development tools. Proficiency in OOAD and UML is essential. QuestOne, a US firm providing software solutions and design, has opening for OOAD professionals who work with the clients to create methodologies and analyze the new software development.

This helps in optimisation of costs, as development time and financial risks are reduced considerably. Those working with QuestOne have a fair chance of getting exposure to work environment in industrial giants like Ford, General Motors, Johnson & Johnson, Whirlpool, etc. Openings are in Pune for software development professionals with sufficient experience in OOAD.

Another firm called as Kale Consultants is a software firm providing solutions to banks, airlines, healthcare industries, etc. OOAD professionals are employed in its project division for custom development, Web and e-commerce projects, etc. Infotech Global (India) Ltd. a subsidiary of another US firm is in the field of software development, consultancy and Web education for clients in finance, manufacturing, etc. It has branches in Singapore, UAE, Mauritius, South Africa and employ professionals for these locations. Its training centre provides ample career potential for faculty members for providing training to new and existing staff members.

Hughes Software, a leading software consultancy firm, requires OOAD professionals at various locations like Delhi, Bangalore, etc. A candidate needs to be an engineer or MCA with knowledge of object-oriented languages. Pragati Software, Mumbai-based firm, deals in object-oriented software technology and provides training to client firms on related technology. The training on OOAD is conducted for programmers or project managers, analysts, etc. An experienced OOAD professional can work as faculty members or can take up specific projects with client organizations like Datamatics, HCL, L&T, etc.

As more computer applications and hardware technologies are developed around the world, need for more efficient and advanced software shall arise and the demand for OOAD professional shall obviously increase.