model driven reverse engineering approaches a systematic literature review

This paper explores and describes the state of the art for what concerns the model-driven approaches proposed in the literature to support reverse engineering. We conducted a systematic literature review on this topic with the aim to answer three research questions. We focus on various solutions developed for model-driven reverse engineering, outlining in particular the models they use and the transformations applied to the models. We also consider the tools used for model definition, extraction, and transformation and the level of automation reached by the available tools. The model-driven reverse engineering approaches are also analyzed based on various features such as genericity, extensibility, automation of the reverse engineering process, and coverage of the full or partial source artifacts. We describe in detail and compare fifteen approaches applying model-driven reverse engineering. Based on this analysis, we identify and indicate some hints on choosing a model-driven reverse engineering approach from the available ones, and we outline open issues concerning the model-driven reverse engineering approaches

A Three-Phase Approach to Efficiently Transform C# into KDM

The Knowledge Discovery Metamodel (KDM) of the Object Management Group (OMG) is used in diverse research areas for describing software artifacts. It was recently adopted as standard ISO/IEC 19506 and its source, code, and action packages are highly suited for enabling language-independent source code analysis. However, a program needs to be transformed to KDM before corresponding source level metrics can be computed. To be of practical use, such a transformation (1) has to be resource-efficient and (2) ideally can be constructed on the basis of existing grammars to mitigate construction effort for a specific programming language. In this paper, we present such an efficient transformation for C# that is structured along three fundamental phases covering distinct sub-transformations for the types, members and methods, and statements. As our approach systematically analyzes and re-engineers existing grammars and integrates appropriate decompilers, it provides insights for fluently building those program transformations in general. Our quantitative evaluation uses three C# open source systems and an industrial software from the financial sector. It shows that our approach can be successfully applied to these systems and that the transformation can efficiently transform the programs to KDM while keeping resource demand low

Vers une nouvelle approche de la modernisation des systèmes légataires à travers la migration vers un environnement dirigé par les modèles

Les organisations sont fortement dépendantes de leurs logiciels dans l'exercice de leurs activités quotidiennes. Malheureusement, les changements répétés qui sont appliqués à ces systèmes rendent leur évolution difficile. Cette évolution peut être rendue nécessaire afin de maintenir le logiciel, de le remplacer ou de le moderniser. Dans le cas de systèmes légataires complexes et mal documentés, la modernisation est la seule solution réalisable afin d'atteindre les objectifs d'évolution, le but de la modernisation étant de faire évoluer un système lorsque les pratiques conventionnelles ne le permettent plus. Mais, il s'agit d'une tâche complexe. Notamment, la prévision des risques et des coûts est difficile. Afin de faire face aux difficultés de la modernisation, l'OMG a créé l'initiative « Architecture-Driven Modernization » ADM qui propose entre autres de réaliser la modernisation par l'ingénierie dirigée par les modèles (IDM). Dans ce contexte, la modernisation d'un système légataire, non développé dans un environnement IDM, débute par sa migration vers ce type d'environnement. Ce qui pose la problématique de la découverte des modèles nécessaires à l'utilisation d'IDM représentant ce système. Une seconde problématique est que le processus IDM manque de précision au sujet des modèles à employer et de l'application des transformations pour passer d'un à l'autre. Dans cette thèse, nous présentons une nouvelle approche de modernisation ADM afin d'utiliser l'IDM pour moderniser un système légataire non IDM. Nous y définissons les modèles nécessaires et les transformations à réaliser pour passer d'un à l'autre. La plate-forme d'implémentation y est représentée par deux modèles. Le premier est un profil UML décrivant ses concepts et le second est un ensemble de modèles de transformations paramétrés capturant son code d'infrastructure. Le modèle représentant les éléments du domaine du problème prend la forme d'un diagramme de classes UML. Aussi, nous proposons des algorithmes pour la découverte de ces modèles en analysant le code source du système légataire. Notre approche a été validée sur plusieurs systèmes écrits en Java et a donné de bons résultats pour les systèmes bien structurés avec un bon style de programmation.\ud _____________________________________________________________________________

Modernization of Legacy Information Technology Systems

Large enterprises spend a large portion of their Information Technology (IT) budget on maintaining their legacy systems. Legacy systems modernization projects are a catalyst for IT architects to save cost, provide new and efficient systems that increase profitability, and create value for their organization. Grounded in sociotechnical systems theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore strategies IT architects use to modernize their legacy systems. The population included IT architects in large enterprises involved in legacy systems modernization projects, one in healthcare, and one in the financial services industry in the San Antonio-New Braunfels, Texas metropolitan area in the United States. The data collection included interviews with eight IT architects, reviewing 12 organizational documents and pertinent artifacts. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Prominent themes included collaboration in modernization projects, systems and process documentation, and resources upskilling and technical training. A key recommendation is for IT architects in large enterprises to ensure that team collaboration, system documentation, and resource technical training are built into all aspects of the legacy systems modernization projects. The implications for positive social change include the potential to bring together individuals with diverse backgrounds and different perspectives and skills to develop trust and build positive relationships during legacy systems modernization projects

The Animator: The 26th Society for Animation Studies Annual Conference Toronto June 16 to 19, 2014

The 2014 Society for Animation Studies conference hosted by Sheridan College was from June 16 - 19, 2014. As Animation Studies continues to develop as a discipline, the dialogue that has opened up between more traditional academic research into the field and what we might call ‘industry-facing’ or applied research has become more important. The critical study of animation from within higher education institutions like Sheridan represents one of the many areas in which the industry can grow. Every SAS conference has its own distinct tone and flavour because we are truly international in our membership and we devolve conference organization annually to the host institution. This means that this year’s conference is strongly allied to Sheridan’s industry focus – not least with Corus warmly welcoming conference goers to their HQ for parts of the conference. SAS provides such a welcoming environment for new members, and a terrific forum to discuss animation from a multitude of perspectives. It is within this fertile and nurturing atmosphere that we decided to focus our conference on the animation artist. As a tribute to all artists whose efforts fuel our work, and in the spirit of the centenary of celebrated National Film Board of Canada animator, Norman McLaren, the 2014 SAS Conference is named “The Animator”. Keynote speakers included Scott Dyer, Executive Vice President, Strategic Planning and Chief Technology Officer, Corus Entertainment Charile Bonifacio, Animator, Arc Productions Ltd, Canada Professor Paul Wells, Director of the Animation Academy Loughborough University, UK Michael Fukushima, Executive Producer of NFB’s English Animation Studio National Film Board of Canada Panel Discussions McLaren Legacy Panel: The Centenary Year - Nichola Dobson, Terence Dobson, Kaj Pindal Stop Motion, From Local Community Members - Chris Walsh, Bret Long, Nora Keely, Mark Mayerson Conference Twitter account: @AnimatorSAS2014https://source.sheridancollege.ca/conferences_anim/1000/thumbnail.jp

Semantic discovery and reuse of business process patterns

Patterns currently play an important role in modern information systems (IS) development and their use has mainly been restricted to the design and implementation phases of the development lifecycle. Given the increasing significance of business modelling in IS development, patterns have the potential of providing a viable solution for promoting reusability of recurrent generalized models in the very early stages of development. As a statement of research-in-progress this paper focuses on business process patterns and proposes an initial methodological framework for the discovery and reuse of business process patterns within the IS development lifecycle. The framework borrows ideas from the domain engineering literature and proposes the use of semantics to drive both the discovery of patterns as well as their reuse