Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 9
Implementation
9.1 Introduction to the Implementation Phase
Implementation is the act of translating a design into a working system. This phase
revolves around coding, but maintains several theoretical aspects as well. Effective
implementation standards include requirements that programmers and other pro-
ject participants discuss in effort to form design specifications before programming
begins. The procedures help to ensure that the programmers clearly understand
program designs and functional requirements.
Programmers use various techniques to develop computer programs. The large
transaction-oriented programs associated with financial institutions have tradi-
tionally been developed using procedural programming techniques. Procedural
programming involves the line-by-line scripting of logical instructions that are
combined to form a program.
Procedural programming activities primarily include the creation and testing of
source code and, the refinement and finalization of test plans. Typically, individual
programmers write and review (desk test) program modules or components, which
are small routines that perform a particular task within an application. Completed
components are integrated with other components and reviewed, often by a group
of programmers, to ensure the components properly interact. This process con-
tinues as component groups are progressively integrated and as interfaces between
component groups and other systems are tested.
Advancements in programming techniques include the concept of ''object-
oriented programming.'' Object-oriented programming centers on the implemen-
tation of reusable program routines (modules) and the classification of data types
(numbers, letters, dollars, etc.) and data structures (records, files, tables, etc.).
Linking pre-scripted module objects to predefined data-class objects reduces
implementation times and makes programs easier to modify. Refer to the ''Soft-
ware Implementation Techniques'' section for additional information on object-
oriented programming.
Organizations should complete testing plans during the implementation phase.
Additionally, they should update conversion, implementation, and training plans as
well as user, operator, and maintenance manuals.
