CASE tools can be broadly divided into the following parts based on their use at a particular SDLC stage:
● Central Repository – CASE tools require a central repository, which can serve as a source of common, integrated and consistent information. Central repository is a central place of storage where product specifications, requirement documents, related reports and diagrams, other useful information regarding management is stored. Central repository also serves as data dictionary.
● Upper Case Tools – Upper CASE tools are used in planning, analysis and design stages of SDLC.
● Lower Case Tools – Lower CASE tools are used in implementation, testing and maintenance.
● Integrated Case Tools – Integrated CASE tools are helpful in all the stages of SDLC, from Requirement gathering to Testing and documentation.
CASE tools can be grouped together if they have similar functionality, process activities and capability of getting integrated with other tools.
Scope of Case Tools
The scope of CASE tools goes throughout the SDLC.