Object-Oriented Analysis and Design (OOAD) is a programming methodology used to develop computer software. It is based on the concept of using objects – modular pieces of code that each contain data and methods that the software can use and manipulate – as the building blocks of programs. OOAD takes this concept a step further by dividing the tasks involved in programming into a set of distinct phases. In the first phase, object-oriented analysis, the software’s requirements are established and software models are created that represent the various data objects and the system architecture. The second phase is object-oriented design, in which the details of the system’s design are refined and the actual software code is generated. The final phase is implementation, which is the process of turning the design into a working program.
OOAD has become an essential technique for programming complex software. Its use of modular objects enables programs to be designed and implemented more quickly and efficiently than traditional approaches. It is particularly useful for distributed and component-based software development, where the system is composed of a set of components which interact with each other. By dividing the development process into distinct phases, it helps to ensure that all aspects of the software are addressed systematically and thoroughly. OOAD also provides built-in support for software reuse, a cost-saving measure that has become increasingly important as software development budgets continue to rise.
