Scribd
Upload
5 views5 pages

Se Pre

The document outlines key aspects of system design, including the differences between conceptual and logical design, entity relationship modeling, functional vs. data-oriented design, top-down vs. bottom-up design, and important design quality concepts like modularity, cohesion, and coupling. It also discusses software design heuristics such as abstraction, encapsulation, and the principles of DRY and KISS. These concepts are essential for creating well-structured, maintainable, and scalable software systems.

Uploaded by

mvunduracarlington
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
5 views5 pages

Se Pre

The document outlines key aspects of system design, including the differences between conceptual and logical design, entity relationship modeling, functional vs. data-oriented design, top-down vs. bottom-up design, and important design quality concepts like modularity, cohesion, and coupling. It also discusses software design heuristics such as abstraction, encapsulation, and the principles of DRY and KISS. These concepts are essential for creating well-structured, maintainable, and scalable software systems.

Uploaded by

mvunduracarlington
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 5

Below is a comprehensive explanation covering the key aspects of system design that you

mentioned:

1. Logical vs. Conceptual Design


Conceptual Design

 Purpose: Capture the high-level vision of the system.


 Focus: It establishes what the system must do by identifying its main components,
entities, and how they relate—with no concern for technical constraints or detailed
implementation.
 Outcome: A set of abstract models that represent business requirements or domain
concepts.
 Example: Outlining the key business objects (such as Customers, Orders, Products)
and their relationships without dictating the specifics of data types or system
architecture.

Logical Design

 Purpose: Translate the high-level concepts into a more detailed structure that reflects
how the system should operate.
 Focus: It defines the structure and relationships more rigorously, including detailed
attributes, keys, constraints, and the workflow logic without tying the design to
specific hardware or software platforms.
 Outcome: Models like detailed entity-relationship diagrams (ERDs), process flow
diagrams, and modular interfaces that serve as a blueprint for later physical design.

Understanding the difference between these two phases is key: while conceptual design
zeroes in on "what" the system is about, logical design focuses on “how” the system is
structured to achieve those requirements.

2. Entity Relationship Modeling (ERM)


What it is:

 ERM is a visual tool used in both the conceptual and logical design phases to map out
the data entities within a system and illustrate how they interact.

Key Components:

 Entities: Represent real-world objects or concepts (like Customer, Order, or


Product).
 Attributes: Define the properties of these entities (such as Customer Name, Order
Date).
 Relationships: Show how entities interact (for example, a Customer places an
Order).

Benefits:

 Clarity: Helps stakeholders visualize data structure.


 Basis for Database Design: Provides a clear roadmap for structuring data in later
phases.

Using ERM ensures that the data relationships and integrity rules are understood from the
outset, which simplifies the transition to physical database design.

3. Functional vs. Data-Oriented Design


Functional Design

 Focus: On the operations or functions the system performs.


 Approach: Decomposes the system into a set of processes or actions (e.g., processing
an order, authenticating a user).
 Tools: Use case diagrams, flowcharts, and activity diagrams help capture the system’s
behavior.
 Emphasis: “What happens” within the system when it receives input and produces
output.

Data-Oriented Design

 Focus: On the organization, access, and manipulation of data.


 Approach: Structures the system around the data it manages, emphasizing data
models, storage systems, and data flow.
 Tools: ER diagrams, class diagrams, and data dictionaries depict the relationships and
constraints imposed on data.
 Emphasis: “How data is structured and interrelated” which is critical when data
integrity and performance are paramount.

In many systems, both designs are intertwined: while functional design secures the processes,
data-oriented design guarantees that data flows efficiently and remains consistent.

4. Top-Down vs. Bottom-Up Design


Top-Down Design

 Starting Point: The overall system vision.


 Process: Decomposes the system into successively smaller subsystems or modules.
 Advantages:
oAlignment: Ensures that all individual parts contribute to the overall system
goals.
o Clarity: Facilitates a clear hierarchical structure.
 Example: Beginning with a high-level architecture (core modules such as user
management, billing, reporting) and then detailing each module with their sub-
components.

Bottom-Up Design

 Starting Point: The individual components or modules.


 Process: Begins with detailed design of low-level components which are then
integrated to form higher-level modules and eventually a complete system.
 Advantages:
o Reusability: Leverages well-defined, pre-tested modules.
o Flexibility: Allows incremental building and incorporation of components.
 Example: Starting with a robust authentication module, then integrating it alongside
other small modules to eventually build the complete system.

Comparison Table:

Aspect Top-Down Bottom-Up


Decomposition from a high-level
Approach Integration from detailed components
perspective
Starting
Overall system architecture Individual components/modules
Point
Ensures strategic alignment and scope Capitalizes on existing module
Benefits
clarity robustness
The entire system vision is well Reusable, proven modules already
Ideal When
understood exist

5. Design Quality Concepts: Modularity, Cohesion, and


Coupling
Modularity

 Definition: Dividing a system into separate, interchangeable modules.


 Benefits:
o Maintainability: Easier to update or replace one module without affecting
others.
o Scalability: Modules can be developed concurrently and integrated later.

Cohesion

 Definition: The degree to which the elements within a module are related.
 High Cohesion: Indicates that a module focuses on a single task or closely related
tasks, making it more understandable and reliable.
 Goal: To design modules that have a well-defined, narrowly focused responsibility.
Coupling

 Definition: The level of interdependence between different modules.


 Low Coupling: Preferred since it minimizes the impact of changes in one module on
others and enhances module reusability.
 Goal: Strive for independent modules that interact through well-defined interfaces.

Together, these concepts help engineers build systems that are modular for flexibility,
cohesive for clarity, and loosely coupled for robust adaptability.

6. Software Design Heuristics


Abstraction

 Concept: Simplify complexities by highlighting essential aspects while hiding


unnecessary details.
 Application: Utilize abstract classes or interfaces to define contracts without
revealing underlying implementations.

Encapsulation

 Concept: Bind data and the methods that operate on that data within a single unit
(e.g., a class) and restrict access from outside interference.
 Application: Use access modifiers to safeguard internal states.

Separation of Concerns

 Concept: Divide a system into distinct sections, each addressing a specific aspect of
functionality.
 Application: Structure code into layers (presentation, business logic, data access) to
isolate different functionalities.

DRY (Don't Repeat Yourself)

 Concept: Avoid duplication of logic or data by centralizing functionality.


 Application: Create reusable functions or modules to minimize redundancy.

KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid)

 Concept: Emphasize simplicity in design to avoid unnecessary complexity.


 Application: Prioritize straightforward solutions over complex architectures.

YAGNI (You Aren't Gonna Need It)

 Concept: Focus on features that are needed now rather than speculating on future
requirements.
 Application: Resist adding functionality until it is necessary to prevent over-
engineering.

Design Patterns

 Concept: Reuse proven solutions such as Singleton, Factory, Observer, etc., to


address common design challenges.
 Application: Tailor patterns to fit the specific context of your project rather than
applying them blindly.

Iterative Refinement

 Concept: Recognize that the initial design can evolve based on feedback and testing.
 Application: Employ agile methodologies to incrementally develop and improve the
design over time.

These heuristics serve as guiding principles that help design systems that are robust, agile,
and resistant to change.

Each of these concepts plays a critical role in the design and development of software
systems, ensuring that the solutions are well-structured, maintainable, and scalable. If you're
exploring this area further, you might be interested in how these principles are applied in real-
world case studies or specific design patterns used in contemporary software architectures.
Would you like to explore any of these areas in more detail?

You might also like

pFad - Phonifier reborn

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.

Note: This service is not intended for secure transactions such as banking, social media, email, or purchasing. Use at your own risk. We assume no liability whatsoever for broken pages.


Alternative Proxies:

Alternative Proxy

pFad Proxy

pFad v3 Proxy

pFad v4 Proxy