IBM Corp’s French software applications company CGI Informatique SA says it is making a major commercial thrust with the launch of BIRD, a full life-cycle object-oriented programming methodology for delivering client-server systems. The company says the methodology, which will be available in book form, deals with the whole cycle from business process re-engineering to system implementation. It claims that BIRD does not offer esoteric techniques, but methods for actually delivering systems. CGI admits to taking the best of other methodologies such as Jacobson and Yourdon, as well as combining its own experiences of best practices in object programming and systems delivery. It says most current methodologies for system design are waterfall methods, starting at the beginning and cascading down, then restarting at the beginning. They do not fully incorporate the idea of re-using code. Also, it claims BIRD is written specifically for client-server applications, where previous methodologies have tended to tack client-server on at the end. It is designed to integrate the use of object oriented tools such as PowerBuilder, VisualGen and CGI’s PAC/CS. CGI could not give a price for BIRD, which will be available in January, but said it will cost a few hundred pounds. The company will also offer consultancy and training. CGI will integrate BIRD on-line with its own software engineering front-end tool PACDESIGN, and with parent company IBM’s OBJChart.
