http:^^osm7.cs.byu.edu^osa^tutorial.html

This data set contains WWW-pages collected from computer science departments of various universities

step-by-step procedure, but rather the conceptual framework behind the analysis technique.<p>

<H2>Reality Representation</H2>

An OSA model is designed with the idea that reality is represented instead of some particular programming
language. Modeling components have been designed to allow analysts to capture everything of importance
in a system. Thus, OSA encourages analysts to represent systems the way they are perceived,
without being constrained by how it will be implemented.

<H2>Formal Basis</H2>

The underlying concepts of OSA are based on formal definitions of system data and behavior modeling. 
Analysis through the construction of system models, whose modeling constructs are based on formal definitions,
is helpful for the following reasons.<p>
<DL>
<DD>1) Models based on formal definitions can provide a foundation for testing
model integrity, and completeness of analysis. <DD>2) Since formal model definition ensures a consistent 
interpretation, it can provide a mechanism for communicating system understanding within the analysis
team. <DD>3) A model with a formal foundation can also improve communication with parties outside the analysis team.<p>
</DL>

<HR>

<A NAME="Components">
<H1>The Components of OSA</H1>
</A>

<strong>OSA </strong> has concepts to formalize just about everything one needs to model
a real world situation.  Although OSA is an "integrated" modeling
scheme, that is all the parts work together, it can conveniently be
seen as consisting of three parts: <!WA16><A HREF="http://osm7.cs.byu.edu/OSA/orm.html">ORM</A>, 
<!WA17><A HREF="http://osm7.cs.byu.edu/OSA/obm.html">OBM</A>, and <!WA18><A HREF="http://osm7.cs.byu.edu/OSA/oim.html">OIM</A>.

<H2>
<!WA19><A HREF="http://osm7.cs.byu.edu/OSA/orm.html">ORM</A> - Object-Relationship Model</H2>

The <strong> ORM </strong> (Object-Relationship Model) is a way to
describe or represent objects, classes of object, relationships
between objects 
and classes, and memberships of the real world. <P>  
The <strong> ORM</strong></A> consists of:

<DL>
<DD> <!WA20><A HREF="http://osm7.cs.byu.edu/OSA/object.html">Objects</A>,

<DD> <!WA21><A HREF="http://osm7.cs.byu.edu/OSA/objectClass.html">Object Classes</A>,

<DL>
<DD> <!WA22><A HREF="http://osm7.cs.byu.edu/OSA/lexObjClass.html">Lexical Object Classes</A>
<DD> <!WA23><A HREF="http://osm7.cs.byu.edu/OSA/relationalObjClass.html">Relational Object Classes</A>
<DD> <!WA24><A HREF="http://osm7.cs.byu.edu/OSA/hiLevObjectClass.html">High-Level Object Classes</A>
</DL>

<DD> <!WA25><A HREF="http://osm7.cs.byu.edu/OSA/relation.html">Relationships</A>,

<DD> <!WA26><A HREF="http://osm7.cs.byu.edu/OSA/relationshipSet.html">Relationship Sets</A>, and the
	special forms,

<DL>
<DD> <!WA27><A HREF="http://osm7.cs.byu.edu/OSA/generalSpecial.html">Generalization/Specialization</A>
<DD> <!WA28><A HREF="http://osm7.cs.byu.edu/OSA/role.html">Roles</A>
<DD> <!WA29><A HREF="http://osm7.cs.byu.edu/OSA/aggregation.html">Aggregation</A>
<DD> <!WA30><A HREF="http://osm7.cs.byu.edu/OSA/association.html">Association</A>
</DL>

<DD> <!WA31><A HREF="http://osm7.cs.byu.edu/OSA/constraint.html">Constraints</A>,

<DL>
<DD> <!WA32><A HREF="http://osm7.cs.byu.edu/OSA/participConst.html">Participation Constraints</A>
<DD> <!WA33><A HREF="http://osm7.cs.byu.edu/OSA/cooccurConst.html">Co-occurrence Constraints</A>
<DD> <!WA34><A HREF="http://osm7.cs.byu.edu/OSA/cardinalConst.html">Object-class Cardinality Constraints</A>
<DD> <!WA35><A HREF="http://osm7.cs.byu.edu/OSA/specialConst.html">Specialization Constraints</A>
<DD> <!WA36><A HREF="http://osm7.cs.byu.edu/OSA/generalConst.html">General Constraints</A>
</DL>

<DD> <!WA37><A HREF="http://osm7.cs.byu.edu/OSA/hiLevRelationshipSet.html">High-Level Relationship Sets</A>, and

<DD> <!WA38><A HREF="http://osm7.cs.byu.edu/OSA/note.html">Notes</A>.

</DL>

<H2>
<!WA39><A HREF="http://osm7.cs.byu.edu/OSA/obm.html">OBM</A> - Object-Behavior Model</H2>

<p>
The OBM (Object-Behavior Model) is a means of describing the
behavior of objects.  It is a means of explaining an object's possible
states (informally, what it may do) and how and why it changes state.

<P>
<!WA40><img src="http://osm7.cs.byu.edu/OSA/images/mark_formal.gif">The OBM may be thought of as
detailing when and how objects join and leave object classes and
relationships.

<p>
The <strong>OBM</strong></A> consists of:

<DD> <!WA41><A HREF="http://osm7.cs.byu.edu/OSA/state.html">States</A>,
<DD> <!WA42><A HREF="http://osm7.cs.byu.edu/OSA/Transition.html">Transitions</A>,
<DL>
<DD> <!WA43><A HREF="http://osm7.cs.byu.edu/OSA/trigger.html">Triggers, Conditions, and Events</A>,
<DD> <!WA44><A HREF="http://osm7.cs.byu.edu/OSA/action.html">Actions</A>,
<DD> <!WA45><A HREF="http://osm7.cs.byu.edu/OSA/initTrans.html">Initial Transitions</A>,
<DD> <!WA46><A HREF="http://osm7.cs.byu.edu/OSA/finaltrans.html">Final Transitions</A>,
</DL>

<DD> <!WA47><A HREF="http://osm7.cs.byu.edu/OSA/Exceptions.html">Exceptions</A>,
<DD> <!WA48><A HREF="http://osm7.cs.byu.edu/OSA/priorConj.html">Prior States</A>,
<DD> <!WA49><A HREF="http://osm7.cs.byu.edu/OSA/subsequent.html">Subsequent States</A>,
<DD> <!WA50><A HREF="http://osm7.cs.byu.edu/OSA/thread.html">Threads</A>,
<DD> <!WA51><A HREF="http://osm7.cs.byu.edu/OSA/RTC.html">Real-Time Constraints</A>,
<DD> <!WA52><A HREF="http://osm7.cs.byu.edu/OSA/generalConst.html#obm">General Constraints for Behaviors</A>,
<DD> <!WA53><A HREF="http://osm7.cs.byu.edu/OSA/hiLevState.html">High Level States</A>,
<DD> <!WA54><A HREF="http://osm7.cs.byu.edu/OSA/hiLevTrans.html">High Level Transitions</A>, and
<DD> <!WA55><A HREF="http://osm7.cs.byu.edu/OSA/gen_spe.html">Generalization/Specialization</A>.
</DL>


<H2><!WA56><A HREF="http://osm7.cs.byu.edu/OSA/oim.html">OIM</A> - Object-Interaction Model</H2>

Under construction

<p>
The <strong>OIM</strong></A> consists of:

<DD> <!WA57><A HREF="http://osm7.cs.byu.edu/OSA/specify.html">Specifying Interacting Objects</A>,

<DD> <!WA58><A HREF="http://osm7.cs.byu.edu/OSA/multiple.html">Interacting with Multiple Objects</A>,

<DD> <!WA59><A HREF="http://osm7.cs.byu.edu/OSA/bidirect.html">Bidirectional Interaction</A>,

<DD> <!WA60><A HREF="http://osm7.cs.byu.edu/OSA/specInteract.html">Special Interactions</A>,
<DL>
<DD> <!WA61><A HREF="http://osm7.cs.byu.edu/OSA/access.html">Access</A>
<DD> <!WA62><A HREF="http://osm7.cs.byu.edu/OSA/modify.html">Modify</A>
<DD> <!WA63><A HREF="http://osm7.cs.byu.edu/OSA/remove.html">Remove and Destroy</A> 
<DD> <!WA64><A HREF="http://osm7.cs.byu.edu/OSA/add.html">Add and Create<A/>
</DL>


<DD> <!WA65><A HREF="http://osm7.cs.byu.edu/OSA/continuous.html">Continuous Interaction</A>,

<DD> <!WA66><A HREF="http://osm7.cs.byu.edu/OSA/timed.html">Time-Constrained Interactions</A>,

<DD> <!WA67><A HREF="http://osm7.cs.byu.edu/OSA/generalConst.html#oim">General Constraints for Interactions</A>,

<DD> <!WA68><A HREF="http://osm7.cs.byu.edu/OSA/internalIntr.html">Interaction Within an Object Class</A>,

<DD> <!WA69><A HREF="http://osm7.cs.byu.edu/OSA/hiLevIntr.html">High-Level Interactions and Views</A>, and

<DD> <!WA70><A HREF="http://osm7.cs.byu.edu/OSA/genSpecIntr.html">Generalization/Specialization</A>.

<HR>

<A NAME="References">
<H1>References</H1>
</A>

This section gives references which may be helpful while reading OSA
models or using OSA to build models.

<H2>Glossary</H2>

The <!WA71><A HREF="http://osm7.cs.byu.edu/OSA/glossary.html">glossary</A> is an alphabetical list of
OSA terms.  Each entry has a brief definition, a
link to the main defining page, and links to related terms.

<H2>Symbolary</H2>

The <!WA72><A HREF="http://osm7.cs.byu.edu/OSA/symbolary.html">symbolary</A> is a list of the symbols
used in the graphical representation of OSA diagrams.

<H2>Bibliography</H2>

The <!WA73><A HREF="http://osm7.cs.byu.edu/OSA/bibliography.html">bibliography</A> is a list of books,
papers, and URL's primarily about OSA.  There are also some references
to other system analysis and software engineering techniques. <P>

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<HR>
<P>
<EM>Updated
Fri Nov  4 10:48:00 1994
</EM><ADDRESS>
by <!WA80><a href="http://lal.cs.byu.edu/people/black.html">Paul E. Black
</a>
([e-mail])
</ADDRESS>

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