Asserting the Correctness of Software Language Translations

While building a new language, we assign its semantics by mapping its syntax onto a semantic domain. To do so, we can either (i) do it operationally, by means of small-step morphisms within the same semantic-domain; or (ii) by means of a translation (syntax-to-syntax transformation), onto a target language that has already an operational semantics defined. Despite the fact that it is possible to build the set of syntactic correspondences from a given translation, it is still not clear how we can assert about the correctness of these syntactic correspondences in w.r.t. both the source and target language's underlying semantics.In this paper, we combine the above described techniques by analyzing the translation and establishing a semantic relation between the respective operational semantics, in order to assert the correctness of that translation. We demonstrate our approach with a concrete translation between two languages: State Machines and Petri Nets; and decide about its correctness by using their respective operational semantics as oracles. Finally, we discuss about the validity of our assertions in w.r.t. language translations in general

Unleashing the Power of Sound: Revisiting the Physics of Notations for Modelling with auditory symbols

Sound - the oft-neglected sense for Software Engineering - is a crucial component of our daily lives, playing a vital role in how we interact with the world around us. In this paper, we challenge the traditional boundaries of Software Engineering by proposing a new approach based on sound design for using sound in modelling tools that is on par with visual design. By drawing upon the seminal work of Moody on the `Physics' of Notations for visual design, we develop a comprehensive catalogue of principles that can guide the design of sound notations. Using these principles, we develop a catalogue of sounds for UML and report on an empirical study that supports their usefulness. Our study lays the foundation for building more sophisticated sound-based notations. The guidelines for designing symbolic sounds for software models are an essential starting point for a new research thread that could significantly and effectively enable the use of sound in modelling tools

Using gamification to motivate occupants to energy efficiency in a social setting of a building automation system

UID/CEC/04516/2019The widespread use of IoTs, as cheap and immersive technology, is enabling a wide range of daily life systems where Humans play a central role. It is commonly accepted that Humans sometimes present non-reliable behaviour. On the other hand, Gamification is becoming a common technique in system development to integrate business logic and induce Humans to accomplish certain goals and enforce systems reliability. Due to human nature, the evolution of game logic becomes an essential aspect of such systems to keep users engaged and participative. In this paper, we illustrate and discuss evolution in the particular scenario of a running Office Automation System in our open space. Here, the Human plays different roles such as an actuator, source of system input, a controller (decision maker), or simply environment (Human-in-the-loop). The mentioned system is the result of partially retrofitting a room of a forty years old building. It runs with a dynamic context scenario (that motivates different setups) and is formed by a heterogeneous set of IoTs. Those types of equipment are integrated to mainly accomplish two, sometimes conflicting, main goals: energy efficiency and Human comfort. As we will describe next, given the complexity of our system, various system's requirements need to be fulfilled at the same time. Those will dynamically change during runtime to contribute to both efficiency and participants' engagement. Not only the game requirements of the system evolve, but also the participants' behaviour change. We have consulted the open space's occupants on their daily routines and their preferences towards Gamification and gamified systems, particularly considering their social settings. They were also consulted on their views towards achieving energy efficiency in the open space. The results of this assessment are presented in this paper. The major suggestions were integrated into the current design of the system. We considered those that could contribute to the system's efficiency and reliability according to the system's goals. Besides, we also considered those that led to the use of several game techniques for motivating and improving the Humans' participation.authorsversionpublishe

How to reach a usable DSL? Moving toward a Systematic Evaluation

Domain-Specific Languages (DSLs) are claimed to increase productivity,while reducing the required maintenance and programming expertise.  In thiscontext, DSL usability by domain experts is a key factor for its successfuladoption.Evidence that support those improvement claims is mostly anecdotal.  Oursystematic literature review showed that a usability evaluation was oftenskipped, relaxed, or at least omitted from papers reporting the development of DSLs.  Thefew exceptions mostly take place at the end of the development process where fixing problems identified is too expensive.We argue that a systematic approach based on User Interface experimentalvalidation  techniques should be used to assess the impact of the new DSLs.  The rationale is that assessing important and specially tailored usability attributes for DSLs early in language construction will ultimately foster a higher productivity of the DSL users. This paper, besides discussing thequality criteria, proposes a development and evaluation process that can be usedto achieve usable DSLs in a better way

Auditoria de informação: requisitos para um modelo

Este trabalho procura compreender como avaliar um Sistema de Informação, de forma a aferir se o mesmo está em conformidade e ao mesmo tempo garantir que possa ser melhorado. Desta forma, equacionaram-se as questões: como avaliar, quais os requisitos a avaliar e para quê? Assim, propusemos como questão-chave para este trabalho: de que modo e com que requisitos se pode avaliar um Sistema de Informação, com o objetivo de aferir a conformidade e assegurar a sua melhoria? Torna-se necessário o reconhecimento dos componentes de um Sistema de Informação, aos quais se subordinam a definição dos recursos de informação, das políticas, responsabilidades, funções, normas, legislação e definição dos fluxos de informação, assim como saber avaliar um Sistema de Informação, sendo essa avaliação realizada através da identificação dos requisitos de um Sistema de Informação. Procedemos a uma revisão de literatura de forma a definir conceitos, como Sistema de Informação e Auditoria de Informação. Encontrámos diferentes métodos de Auditoria de Informação presentes na literatura, sendo esta apoiada numa investigação documental referente ao tema “Auditoria de Informação”. De forma a consolidar e definir uma estrutura para um modelo de Auditoria de Informação, comparámos os diferentes métodos de auditoria com a Norma ISO 30300, que define os requisitos e os princípios orientadores para a implementação e a gestão de um Sistema de Informação. Desta forma, foi definido um modelo para Auditoria de Informação. Concluímos, entendendo que, com este modelo de Auditoria de Informação, os componentes de um Sistema de Informação são devidamente reconhecidos, assim como os seus requisitos são passíveis de serem avaliados, assegurando assim a melhoria contínua de um Sistema de Informação.This work seeks to understand how to evaluate an Information System in order to assess whether it is in conformity and, at the same time, ensure that it can be improved. As such, the following questions were considered: how to evaluate, what are the requirements to evaluate and for what purpose? Therefore, we proposed the following key question for this work: how and with what requirements can an Information System be evaluated in order to be able to measure compliance as well as ensure its improvement? It becomes necessary to recognize the components of an Information System, which are subject to the definition of information resources, policies, responsibilities, functions, standards, legislation and the definition of information flows, as well as to know how to evaluate an Information System, being this evaluation carried out through the identification of the requirements of an Information System. We reviewed extensive literature in order to define concepts such as Information System and Information Audit. We found different methods of Information Audit referred to in that literature, which is supported by a documentary investigation about the "Information Audit" subject. In order to consolidate and define a framework for an Information Audit model, we compared the different audit methods with the ISO 30300 Norm which defines the requirements and guidelines for the implementation and management of an Information System. A model for an Information Audit was then defined. In the end, we concluded that with this model of Information Audit, the components of an Information System are duly recognized, as well as its requirements are able to be evaluated, thus ensuring the continuous improvement of an Information System

PPPJ special issue–Foreword

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