What design method is utilized in IDEF4?

The design method utilized in IDEF4 is object-oriented design. This method focuses on defining software architecture based on the concepts of objects, which are instances of classes containing both data attributes and methods that operate on that data. The object-oriented approach allows for a structured way to encapsulate data and behavior together, promoting reusability, modularity, and maintainability in software design.

IDEF4 specifically provides a framework for the modeling of object-oriented systems, allowing for the specification of class hierarchies, relationships between objects, and the interactions that occur within these systems. This focus on the objects and their relationships is a core principle of object-oriented design, making it well-suited for applications requiring complex data representations and behaviors.

The other design methods mentioned do not align with the principles of IDEF4. For instance, functional design focuses primarily on processes and functions rather than data structures and their associated methods. Data optimization is concerned with enhancing the performance and efficiency of data retrieval and storage, while structural design emphasizes the architecture of systems but does not incorporate the object-oriented paradigm.