FLEXIBLE METHOD ADAPTATION IN CASE: The Metamodeling Approach

There is an obvious need to improve the adaptation of methods into Computer Aided Software/Systems Engineering (CASE) tools. This paper presents a new approach to adapting methods into CASE environments, called metamodeling. It applies a new generation CASE tool or CASE shell to offer flexible mechanisms to specify and implement methods, or to modify existing ones in tools. This allows customization of CASE support for local needs. Metamodeling is a key step in such a customization and adaptation task. During metamodeling a formal model of the method to be supported is derived. This paper offers guidelines for a method adaptation process based on metamodeling. The goal of the process is to examine and improve methods so as to adapt them flexibly and successfully into the contingent local needs in order to achieve a sufficient fit between users\u27 cognitive skills, special methods, and tool support. The practicality of the method adaptation guidelines is demonstrated by reporting a case study where a \u27manual\u27 method called Activity Modelling was adapted into a CASE shell called MetaEdit. We also suggest criteria to evaluate the adaptation outcome and illuminate them in our adaptation case. The paper ends up with a speculation of how the nature of IS development methods is likely to change due to increased computer support. This will make the dominating \u27paperand- pencil\u27 mentality obsolete, and introduce more flexible, complex and versatile methods which are supported by powerful analytical tools offering unprecented functionality such as simulation or hypertext features. We believe that the metamodeling approach will form an essential core of method development and use in years to come, as it can be used to extend and modify organizations\u27 knowledge about methods and to make them learn more rapidly

Domain-Specific Languages and Model Transformations for Soft ware Product Line

is tutorial introduces and demonstrates the use of Model-Driven Engineering in So ware Product Lines. In particular, it teaches participants about domain-speci c languages, metamodeling and modeling, and where these techniques can be best used (and where not). Along with modeling, tutorial teaches various model transformation approaches and how they can be e ectively used to bring so ware product lines to a di erent domain and to optimize them. e use of models for handling product variation is demonstrated with real-life examples from various industries and product lines.Comisión Interministerial de Ciencia y Tecnología TIN2015-70560-RJunta de Andalucía P12-TIC-186

Managing Evolutionary Method Engineering by Method Rationale

This paper explores how to integrate formal meta-models with an informal method rationale to support evolutionary (continuous) method development. While the former provides an exact and computer-executable specification of a method, the latter enables concurrent learning, expansion, and refinement of method use (instances of meta-models) and meta-models (evolution of method specifications). We explain the need for method rationale by observing the criticality of evolving method knowledge in helping software organizations to learn, as well as by the recurrent failure to introduce rigid and stable methods. Like a design rationale, a method rationale establishes a systematic and organized trace of method evolution. Method rationale is located at two levels of type-instance hierarchy depending on its type of use and the scope of the changes traced. A method construction rationale garners a history of method knowledge evolution as part of the method engineering process, which designs and adapts the method to a given organizational context. A method use rationale maintains knowledge of concrete use contexts and their history and justifies further method deployment in alternative contexts, reveals limitations in its past use, and enables sharing of method use experience. The paper suggests how a method rationale helps share knowledge of methods between method users and engineers, explores how method engineers coordinate the evolution of the existing method base through it, and suggests ways to improve learning through method rationale

MODELING REQUIREMENTS FOR FUTURE: ISSUES AND IMPLEMENTATION CONSIDERATIONS

In this paper, we discuss some requirements for future CASE (Computer Aided Software/Systems Engineering) environments. These requirements include increased modifiability and flexibility as well as support for task and agent models. We claim that they can only be addressed by developing more powerful representation and modeling techniques. As a possible basis for a modeling technique, we propose the GOPRR (Graph-Object-Property-Relationship-Role) data model, which addresses some of these requirements. In addition, a general information architecture for a future CASE environment is outlined. It includes three kinds of models for methodology specification: meta-datamodels, activity (task) models, and agent models. These models are defined using the GOPRR model with some additional concepts for IS development process and agent participation

Long-term effect of fertilization on the greenhouse gas exchange of low-productive peatland forests

Drainage of peatlands for forestry often leads to carbon dioxide (CO2) net emission from soil due to loss of peat. This emission can be compensated for by the increased tree growth. Hovewer, many drained peatlands have low tree growth due to nutrient limitations. Tree growth at these peatlands can be effectively increased by fertilization, but fertilization has been also found to increase decomposition rates. We studied the long-term effect of fertilization of low-productive forestry-drained peatlands on the complete ecosystem greenhouse gas exchange, including both soil and tree component, and accounting for CO2, methane and nitrous oxide. Five N-rich study sites (flark fens and a rich fen) and one N-poor ombrotrophic site were established. Fertilization had started at the study sites 16-67 years before our measurements. Fertilization considerably increased tree stand CO2 sink ( + 248-1013 g CO2 m(-2) year(-1)). Decomposition increased on average by 45% ( + 431 g CO2 m(-2) year(-1)) and litter production by 38% ( + 360 g CO2 m(-2) year(-1)). Thus, on average 84% of the increased decomposition could be attributed to increased litter production and 16% to increased soil CO 2 net emission due to increased loss of peat. Soil CO2 net emission correlated positively with water table depth and top soil N concentration. Fertilization increased soil CO2 net emission at the drained flark fens on average by 187 g CO2 m(-2) year(-1). At the rich fen, net emission decreased. The N-poor bog exhibited soil CO2 sink both with and without fertilization. Effects on methane and nitrous oxide emissions were small at most sites. The increase in tree stand CO2 sink was higher than the increase in soil CO2 net emission, indicating that fertilization has a climate cooling effect in the decadal time scale. Yet, as the fertilized plots at N-rich sites exhibited soil CO2 source or zero balance, continuation of fertilization-based forestry over several rotations would lead to progressive loss of ecosystem C. At the N-poor bog, fertilization-based forestry may have a climate-cooling effect also in the centennial time scale.Peer reviewe

DSLs: the good, the bad, and the ugly

International audienceA resurging interest in domain-specific languages (DSLs) has identified the benefits to be realized from customized languages that provide a high-level of abstraction for specifying a problem concept in a particular domain. Although there has been much success and interest reported by industry practitioners and academic researchers, there is much more work that is needed to enable further adoption of DSLs. The goal of this panel is to separate the hype from the true advantages that DSLs provide. The panel discussion will offer insight into the nature of DSL design, implementation, and application and summarize the collective experience of the panel in successful deployment of DSLs. As a counterpoint to the current benefits of DSLs, the panel will strive to provide a fair and balanced assessment of the current state of the art of DSLs by pointing to the existing limitations and future work that is needed to take the concept of DSLs to further heights. The assembled panelists are experts in the research and practice of DSLs and represent diverse views and backgrounds. The panel is made up of industrial researchers, commercial tool vendors, and academic researchers. The panelists have different perspectives on the technical concerns of DSLs; e.g., half of the panelists are proponents of textual DSLs and the other half has experience in graphical notations representing visual languages

Quantification and valuation of ecosystem services to optimize sustainable re-use for low-productive drained peatlands

LIFEPeatLandUse (LIFE12 ENV/FI/000150) 2013 – 2018, LAYMAN’S REPORT201

Russia of Transformations

The reader is holding the second, more comprehensive study on developments in Russia commissioned by the Ministry of Defence. The first, published in 2008, focused on society and domestic politics, the economy, traffic and transport, the environment and energy, and foreign and security policy. At the time, this project represented a new approach. Extensive use was made of expertise outside the defence establishment, while reports submitted for publication were drawn up by thematic working groups, based on the preliminary research question and their own work. From the Finnish security perspective, the ‘Russia of Challenges’ publication demonstrated a clear need to gather knowledge on Russia produced, analysed and processed in a practical manner. Three editions were published. Of these, around 13,000 copies in Finnish and 2,700 in English were downloaded from the internet. Over a period of four years, developments in both Russia and the international community have once again created the need for a survey of Russia by Finnish experts and specialists in various fields

Muutosten Venäjä

Lukijalla on nyt kädessään järjestyksessään toinen puolustusministeriön tilaama laajempi tutkimus Venäjän kehityksestä. Vuonna 2008 julkaistussa Venäjä–tutkimuksessa tarkastelun kohteena olivat yhteiskunta ja sisäpolitiikka, talous liikenne ja kuljetus, ympäristö ja energia sekä ulko- ja turvallisuuspolitiikka. Hankkeen toteuttamismalli oli uusi: siinä hyödynnettiin laajasti puolustushallinnon ulkopuolista osaamista ja teemaryhmät tuottivat annettujen kysymysten ja työskentelynsä pohjalta raportit, jotka toimitettiin julkaisuksi. Haasteiden Venäjä -julkaisu osoitti selvän tarpeen Suomen turvallisuuden näkökulmasta tuotetun, analysoidun ja käytännönläheisen Venäjä-tiedon kokoamiselle. Julkaisusta otettiin kolme painosta ja suomenkielisten Internet-latausten määrä oli noin 13 000 ja englanninkielisten noin 2 700. Neljän vuoden aikana sekä Venäjällä että kansainvälisessä yhteisössä tapahtunut kehitys ovat jälleen kannustaneet kokoamaan yhteen eri alojen kotimaisen Venäjä-asiantuntemuksen