Metamodel-based model conformance and multiview consistency checking

Model-driven development, using languages such as UML and BON, often makes use of multiple diagrams (e.g., class and sequence diagrams) when modeling systems. These diagrams, presenting different views of a system of interest, may be inconsistent. A metamodel provides a unifying framework in which to ensure and check consistency, while at the same time providing the means to distinguish between valid and invalid models, that is, conformance. Two formal specifications of the metamodel for an object-oriented modeling language are presented, and it is shown how to use these specifications for model conformance and multiview consistency checking. Comparisons are made in terms of completeness and the level of automation each provide for checking multiview consistency and model conformance. The lessons learned from applying formal techniques to the problems of metamodeling, model conformance, and multiview consistency checking are summarized

Model Driven Mutation Applied to Adaptative Systems Testing

Dynamically Adaptive Systems modify their behav- ior and structure in response to changes in their surrounding environment and according to an adaptation logic. Critical sys- tems increasingly incorporate dynamic adaptation capabilities; examples include disaster relief and space exploration systems. In this paper, we focus on mutation testing of the adaptation logic. We propose a fault model for adaptation logics that classifies faults into environmental completeness and adaptation correct- ness. Since there are several adaptation logic languages relying on the same underlying concepts, the fault model is expressed independently from specific adaptation languages. Taking benefit from model-driven engineering technology, we express these common concepts in a metamodel and define the operational semantics of mutation operators at this level. Mutation is applied on model elements and model transformations are used to propagate these changes to a given adaptation policy in the chosen formalism. Preliminary results on an adaptive web server highlight the difficulty of killing mutants for adaptive systems, and thus the difficulty of generating efficient tests.Comment: IEEE International Conference on Software Testing, Verification and Validation, Mutation Analysis Workshop (Mutation 2011), Berlin : Allemagne (2011

Towards a pivotal-based approach for business process alignment.

This article focuses on business process engineering, especially on alignment between business analysis and implementation. Through a business process management approach, different transformations interfere with process models in order to make them executable. To keep the consistency of process model from business model to IT model, we propose a pivotal metamodel-centric methodology. It aims at keeping or giving all requisite structural and semantic data needed to perform such transformations without loss of information. Through this we can ensure the alignment between business and IT. This article describes the concept of pivotal metamodel and proposes a methodology using such an approach. In addition, we present an example and the resulting benefits

UML metamodelling and ERP software solutions: experiments with Microsoft DSL tools

Dissertação de mestrado em Sistemas de InformaçãoMicrosoft DSL (Domain-Specific Language) Tools allow the definition at the metamodelling level of graphical languages suited to a particular domain. The DSL Tools also allow the conception of models with those graphical languages. The proof of concept reported in this dissertation focuses on the domain of a part of the Primavera ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software solution. It exposes a metamodelling approach which can be followed when using the tool to model visual domain-specific languages. It includes a stereotyping approach, abstract and concrete syntaxes’ setting down. The stereotypes allow the adaptation of the graphical language to the domain. Together, stereotypes and language definition through a metamodel make up the DSVL (Domain-Specific Visual Language). This dissertation explains how to perform both the abstract syntax design through metamodels resembling UML (Unified Modelling Language) class diagrams and the concrete syntax definition through the mapping between the elements in the abstract syntax and the visual constructs of the DSVL. Having metamodels inspired by UML is a pertinent approach defended in this dissertation. UML is a standard with worldwide impact, therefore, graphical languages inspired by UML can be handled by professionals worldwide to design their applications and communicate their design decisions. We can create UML-based graphical languages with Microsoft DSL Tools in order to be able to reason about the solution to the problem domain of a portion of the Primavera ERP and still be able to communicate with professionals familiarized with UML about our design decisions. A compromise between domain knowledge and cross-domain knowledge is established with a UML-inspired language tailored to a specific domain. In this dissertation, stereotypes and domain-specific concepts tailor the graphical languages to the domain, whereas metamodels determine a UML-based syntax for the graphical languages.As Microsoft DSL (Domain-Specific Language) Tools permitem a definição ao nível da metamodelação de linguagens gráficas ajustadas a um domínio em particular. As DSL Tools também permitem a concepção de modelos expressos nessas mesmas linguagens. A prova de conceito reportada nesta dissertação foca-se no domínio de uma parte da solução de software Primavera ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning). A dissertação expõe uma abordagem de metamodelação que pode ser seguida durante a utilização da ferramenta DSL Tools para modelar linguagens visuais específicas de um domínio. Inclui uma abordagem de estereotipagem, bem como a definição de sintaxes abstracta e concreta. Os estereótipos permitem a adaptação da linguagem gráfica ao domínio. Juntos, os estereótipos e a definição da linguagem através de um metamodelo constituem a DSVL (Domain-Specific Visual Language). Esta dissertação explica como executar tanto o design da sintaxe abstracta através de metamodelos que se assemelham a diagramas de classes UML (Unified Modelling Language), como a definição da sintaxe concreta através do mapeamento entre os elementos da sintaxe abstracta e os elementos visuais da DSVL. Construir metamodelos inspirados pela UML é uma abordagem pertinente defendida nesta dissertação. A UML é um standard com impacto mundial, logo, linguagens gráficas inspiradas pela UML podem ser manuseadas por profissionais a nível mundial para desenhar as suas aplicações e comunicar as suas decisões de desenho. Podem ser criadas linguagens gráficas baseadas em UML com as Microsoft DSL Tools com o intuito de tornar possível o raciocínio acerca da solução para o domínio do problema de uma porção do ERP Primavera e mesmo assim ser possível comunicar com profissionais familiarizados com a UML acerca das decisões de desenho tomadas. Um compromisso entre o conhecimento do domínio e o conhecimento que é transversal a vários domínios é estabelecido com uma linguagem inspirada em UML e talhada para um domínio específico. Nesta dissertação, os estereótipos e os conceitos específicos do domínio adaptam as linguagens gráficas ao domínio, enquanto que os metamodelos determinam uma sintaxe baseada em UML para as mesmas linguagens gráficas

Applied metamodelling : a foundation for language driven development

The Third Edition of Applied Metamodelling represents a small increment since the Second Edition was produced in 2008. The book continues to be referenced in schol- arly articles with 212 citations on Google Scholar including nearly 150 since 2008. The open-source release of the accompanying technologies XMF and XMF-Mosaic did not generate the same level of interest, partly due to a lack of exposure and associated tuto- rial materials. Recently, interest in the field of multi-level modelling has increased and has led to publications and a Dagstuhl Seminar based on the ideas of meta-languages and tool-modelling. An overview of the historical development of XMF, the ideas in this book, and the the birth and death of an associated startup company has been published in 2012 as part of the 10th anniversary edition of the the Journal of Software and Systems Modeling. A project based on the foundations developed in this book and the tooling, now rebranded XModeler, is underway and the aim is to advance the field of multi-level language-based system engineering

Software modelling languages: A wish list

© 2015 IEEE. Contemporary software engineering modelling tends to rely on general-purpose languages, such as the Unified Modeling Language. However, such languages are practice-based and seldom underpinned with a solid theory-be it mathematical, ontological or concomitant with language use. The future of software modelling deserves research to evaluate whether a language base that is compatible with these various elements as well as being philosophically coherent offers practical advantages to software developers