End-user development tools (also referred to as
fourth-generation software development tools) are software packages that allow a user to
develop a software application to meet the specific needs of a particular situation. There
are several reasons why end-users may choose to develop their own package rather than to
buy a commercial package. Sometimes the user's needs are highly specialized; therefore the
market for such a package is small and an appropriate one may not be available. In
addition, by developing its own package, a company can tailor the software to the exact
needs of the particular situation. There is a wide variety of end-user development tools
on the market. including simulation software, statistical packages, decision support
systems, and data-base management systems.
Creating a software package using these tools requires less skill than
that required to program a system. Often development tools allow users to solve problems
that ordinarily would require the attention of data processing departments. This frees
users from dependency upon data processing departments and is an important advantage in
many companies where the data processing department may have a backlog of projects.
Fourth-generation programming languages, or query languages as they are often called, are used with these end-user development tools. The end-user can quickly learn to use these languages because they are similar to English. These languages allow managers to manipulate corporate data in a fast, friendly, flexible way. The user must learn the necessary commands and syntax, but because the statements are similar to English, they require little time or skill to learn.
Last Updated Jan.7/99