Building and Using Object-Oriented Frameworks for Semi-Structures Domains: The Sales Promotion Domain as Example

Object-oriented (00) frameworks are considered an important step forward in developing software applications efficiently. Success of frameworks has however predominantly been limited to structured domains.This paper describes a method for developing 00 domainframeworks for semi-structured domains. The complexityof such domains requires the use of more elaborate analysis and design techniques than those normallyused in 00 analysis and design. In the method describedhere, the knowledge of domain experts forms the basis for developing the framework. The 00 framework is constructed on the design level using a CASE-tool.Using the design model, the framework can be customized and extended to develop a variety of applicationsfor the domain. The approach is illustrated by developing a framework for the sales-promotions domain,and using this framework to build an application for product managers. It is concluded that the approach described here is beneficial to build and use 00 frameworksfor semi-structured domains.