Knowledge-based CASE tools: improving performance using domain-specific knowledge

Knowledge-based CASE tools are able to play an active part in the design of computer-based systems. Providing such tools with in-built domain-specific (or `real world´) knowledge can enhance both the performance and the appearance of intelligence. However, little work has so far been carried out as to how this might be achieved. The paper illustrates how such knowledge may be provided in the form of generic models based on a thesaurus approach, and applies the technique to a knowledge-based CASE tool designed to support object-oriented design