This supplement discusses the use of OOT&RT in the software life cycle for software that is produced in accordance with ED-12C. If the applicant is planning to use OOT or a related technique, then the applicant should comply with the relevant parts of this supplement. The related techniques described in section OO.1.6.2 for which this document applies are parametric polymorphism, overloading, type conversion, exception management, dynamic memory management, and virtualization.

The related techniques discussed in this supplement may be used outside of OOT. Although the primary purpose of their inclusion in this supplement is in their relation to OOT, the guidance for related techniques should be used even when OOT is not used.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this supplement is to provide guidance for the production of software using OOT&RT for systems and equipment that performs its intended function with a level of confidence in safety that complies with airworthiness requirements. This supplement contains modifications and additions to ED-12C objectives, activities, explanatory text, and software life cycle data that should be addressed when OOT&RT are used as part of the software life cycle.

Compliance with the objectives of ED-12C, Software Considerations in Airborne Systems and Equipment Certification, is the primary means of obtaining approval of software used in civil aviation products. Object-oriented technology is a software development methodology that uses objects and the connections between those objects to express the software design. There are a number of related techniques commonly associated with, but not limited to, object-oriented technology that are considered in this supplement. These related techniques include parametric polymorphism, overloading, type conversion, exception management, dynamic memory management, and virtualization. Since OOT&RT differs from the traditional functional approach to software development, satisfying some of the ED-12C objectives when using OOT&RT may be unclear and/or complicated.

This supplement identifies the additions, modifications, and deletions to ED-12C objectives when object-oriented technology or related techniques are used as part of the software development life cycle and additional guidance is required. This supplement, in conjunction with ED-12C, is intended to provide a common framework for the evaluation and acceptance of OOT&RT based systems.

This supplement provides the following data:

• Objectives for OOT&RT software life cycle processes.
• Descriptions of activities and design considerations for achieving those objectives.
• Descriptions of the evidence that indicate that the objectives have been satisfied.