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Paul,
I don't know anything about the "Select" software you used in the past,
but here are a few thoughts/alternatives.
I'm a little familiar with SSADM - from what I remember, it's really
just a very strict (I believe most texts refer to it as 'rigorous' but I
prefer to use the term 'strict') methodology for diagramming software by
translating documentation (specifications, usually) into Data Logic,
Data Flow, and Entity Event models. In really simple terms, it's a very
strict subset of the UML spec. Pretty much all UML tools support doing
this, though not necessarily with whatever symbols the UK Gov. has
trademarked for these diagrams and certainly not necessarily with
built-in 'rigidity checks' like you describe.
I point this out because there are some decent UML tools that are really
cheap. In fact, my favorite tool is free. It's called UMLet
(http://www.umlet.com/) and runs as an eclipse plug-in (hurray!) or
stand-alone desktop version (right out of the directory you unzip it
into) on all major Operating Systems. Not only does it run in all the
nice places you might want to run it and not only is the price right,
but you can extend and customize UMLet via a very simple built-in
scripting language (you can actually create custom components and entire
diagrams this way, too) or, if you want to get very fancy, by writing
little Java classes.
If you don't want to use UMLet and want something designed more
specifically for data flow diagrams, here are the three options that
look the best after doing a few quick google searches (in the order I'd
recommend them):
1. For $95, eDraw Max looks like a really decent option:
http://www.edrawsoft.com/SSADM.php
2. For $20 you can add SSADM support to Visio:
http://www.visio-dfd.sandrila.co.uk/
3. For $197, Smart Draw doesn't look bad (though personally I'd look
into eDraw Max first):
http://www.smartdraw.com/specials/ppc/softdesign.htm?id=48361&gclid=CI7a1o6jsZwCFVRc2god2wMjmA
Sorry I couldn't help more - hope I was able to help. If you do try one
of the alternatives I suggested, be sure to let us know how it turns out!
~Simon
Simon Horwith
CTO, Nylon Technology
Adobe Community Expert
Adobe Certified Master Instructor
http://www.nylontechnology.com
blog - http://www.horwith.com
Paul Swingewood wrote:
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Once upon a time - a very long time ago when i was fresh and new to the world
of logical data modelling I used a methodology called SSADM. I beleive the
software used was produced by Select.
So here's the begging bit.
Does anyone have an old copy of this software that I can 'purchase'? - I really
don't want to spend 1k/seat buying the latest version.
If I remeber SSADM was great at sorting out all te entity relationships and
creating dataflow diagrams that were 'rigidly checked'. You couldn't do a without
first adding B & C etc.
Visio is ok but it takes ages to do the diagrams and there is no logical
checking that I can find. I guess im saying I don't use it a lot and can never
get to grips with creating large dataflow diagrams (Usually sketched on the
notepad on my desk).
So, if anyone has an old copy lying around collecting dust im sure we can come
to a financial (beer token) arrangement.
Regards - Paul
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