Structured Analysis and Structured Design

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Structured Analysis and Structured Design are two related methods that are commonly used in software engineering to develop complex systems. Structured Analysis is the process of analyzing and modeling the requirements of a system, while Structured Design is the process of designing the system based on the analysis.

In this tutorial, we will go over the basics of Structured Analysis and Structured Design and the steps involved in each process.

Structured Analysis

Structured Analysis is a method used to identify the functional requirements of a system and to represent them in a structured form. This method is typically used during the early stages of software development to identify the functional requirements of a system and to determine how the system will be designed.

The steps involved in Structured Analysis are as follows:

1. Identify the problem or opportunity: In this step, you need to identify the problem or opportunity that the system is intended to address.
2. Define the scope: In this step, you need to define the scope of the system, which includes the functions that the system will perform and the data that it will process.
3. Identify the stakeholders: In this step, you need to identify the stakeholders who will be affected by the system, including the users, the developers, and the administrators.
4. Identify the functions: In this step, you need to identify the functions that the system will perform. This can be done by interviewing the stakeholders or by reviewing existing documentation.
5. Define the data: In this step, you need to define the data that the system will process. This includes the data that the system will store, retrieve, and manipulate.
6. Create a data flow diagram: In this step, you need to create a data flow diagram that shows how data flows through the system. This diagram represents the system as a set of processes that transform input data into output data.
7. Create a process specification: In this step, you need to create a process specification for each process in the data flow diagram. This specification describes the input data, the processing steps, and the output data.

Structured Design

Structured Design is the process of designing a system based on the requirements identified in the Structured Analysis phase. The goal of Structured Design is to create a system that is efficient, reliable, and easy to maintain.

The steps involved in Structured Design are as follows:

1. Design the database: In this step, you need to design the database that will be used to store the data. This includes defining the tables, the relationships between the tables, and the constraints that govern the data.
2. Design the user interface: In this step, you need to design the user interface that will be used to interact with the system. This includes designing the screens, the menus, and the input forms.
3. Design the programs: In this step, you need to design the programs that will be used to process the data. This includes defining the algorithms that will be used to process the data and the control structures that will be used to manage the flow of the program.
4. Design the system architecture: In this step, you need to design the system architecture that will be used to implement the system. This includes defining the hardware and software components that will be used and the interfaces between these components.
5. Test the system design: In this step, you need to test the system design to ensure that it meets the requirements identified in the Structured Analysis phase. This includes testing the database, the user interface, and the programs.

Conclusion

Structured Analysis and Structured Design are two important methods used in software engineering to develop complex systems. By following these methods, developers can ensure that the system they develop meets the functional requirements of the stakeholders and is easy to maintain and upgrade over time.