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A Structured Methodology for Spreadsheet Modelling

Software Engineering 2008-05-29 v1

Abstract

In this paper, we discuss the problem of the software engineering of a class of business spreadsheet models. A methodology for structured software development is proposed, which is based on structured analysis of data, represented as Jackson diagrams. It is shown that this analysis allows a straightforward modularisation, and that individual modules may be represented with indentation in the block-structured form of structured programs. The benefits of structured format are discussed, in terms of comprehensibility, ease of maintenance, and reduction in errors. The capability of the methodology to provide a modular overview in the model is described, and examples are given. The potential for a reverse-engineering tool, to transform existing spreadsheet models is discussed.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.0805.4218,
  title  = {A Structured Methodology for Spreadsheet Modelling},
  author = {Brian Knight and David Chadwick and Kamalesen Rajalingham},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:0805.4218},
  year   = {2008}
}

Comments

8 Pages, 7 Figures

R2 v1 2026-06-21T10:44:43.109Z