Supporting all of REP's software engineering activities is a strong suite of proven tools and technology appropriate for the project and industry requirements.
REP owns a range of preferred tools for the full software lifecycle, but this does not tie a customer into doing it our way. We provide a flexible approach, so that in most situations we adapt to best fit a customer's processes, including choice of tool and technology.
To best support this, we look at the best solution, be it purchasing additional tools internally, renting them, or supporting a customer using their own tools.
We aim to break down barriers such as tool availability and experience, and we are willing to invest in a relationship to reduce obstacles as much as possible. We have strong links to tools and technology vendors, and we have wide experience of working with varied tool-chains.
Requirements capture and design tool
Our preferred formal requirements authoring tool is IBM DOORS, in which our experience of DXL scripting assists in maximising it's contribution to the process.
Our design tool experience ranges from simple PDL based designs, through systems such as Teamwork and Yourdon, to modern UML design tools such as Rational Rhapsody/Rose and Artisan.
Implementation
Software implementation, where not supported by auto-code generation suites, uses languages appropriate to the application. For legacy safety critical work, Ada or C may be required, whereas for the latest projects C++ with or without an RTOS may be appropriate. For non-safety related projects the doors are opened to more rapid development languages such as C# or Java.
Throughout our history, REP has maintained it's position as an industry leader, and this extends to familiarity with the latest implementation languages and techniques. This is demonstrated well through REP's involvement in the latest aerospace software standard DO178C, in which REP is a member of the committee, specifically working toward the object orientated subgroup.
Static and dynamic verification
Software verification tool selection is closely linked to the choice of implementation language and design tool. To meet the flexible choices available, REP has a diverse experience of static analysis, low level testing, and integration testing tools.
Often an easy part of the development lifecycle to outsource, REP's experience with tools such as AdaTest, LDRA, Cantata, RTRT and VectorCAST, ensure that a best fit approach is always available.
Software configuration and change management
Supporting the software development activities, a strong configuration and change control process or system is beneficial to all industries, and mandatory in many. Environments such as VSS, PVCS, Synergy and MKS assist with this process, as used in many of REP's project support services.