OPM vs. UML--Experimenting with Comprehension and Construction of Web Application Models

Object-Process Methodology (OPM), which is a holistic approach to modeling and evolving systems, views objects and processes as two equally important entities that describe the system's structure and behavior in a single model. Unified Modeling Language (UML), which is the standard object-oriented modeling language for software systems, separates the system model into various aspects, each of which is represented in a different view (diagram type).The exponential growth of the Web and the progress of Internet-based architectures have set the stage for the proliferation of a variety of Web applications, which are classified as hybrids between hypermedia and information systems. Such applications require a modeling approach that is capable of clearly specifying aspects of their architecture, communication, and distributive nature. Since UML and OPM are two candidates for this task, this study has been designed to establish the level of comprehension and the quality of the constructed Web application models using each one of these two approaches.In the experiment we carried out, third year undergraduate information systems engineering students were asked to respond to comprehension and construction questions about two representative Web application models. The comprehension questions related to the system's structure, dynamics, and distribution aspects. The results suggest that OPM is better than UML in modeling the dynamics aspect of the Web applications. In specifying structure and distribution aspects, there were no significant differences. The results further suggest that the quality of the OPM models students built in the construction part was superior to that of the corresponding UML models.     

A framework for developing Web information systems plans: illustration with Samsung Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.

Internet technology holds many promises for enterprise information integration. Web information systems are applications that facilitate intra- and inter-firm processes and integration of myriad enterprise information systems. However, these applications require sound planning to really tap into the unique promises of the Internet and the Web technologies and add value to the enterprise. Heavy machinery industry, typified by Samsung Heavy Industries presents a good case in point. Static conventional home pages do not facilitate a manufacturer’s needs of information management in its core production and business functions. Instead, dynamic Web client capabilities must be connected with real-time enterprise databases in a cohesive plan to enhance integration of business processes. Planning of Web information systems needs a proactive review of the capabilities of the Internet technology to serve the particular needs of a firm and its customers. In this paper we describe the application of a generic Web information systems (WIS) planning framework to the construction equipment division of Samsung Heavy Industries of Korea to enhance its core business. The framework is rooted in economic principles that are shown to be the drivers of modern WIS. Further, the framework is applied to the task of developing a strategic plan of WIS for the marketing and service activities of the construction equipment division of the firm. The planning process is shown to cover most of the systems development life cycle from high level information goal setting to design of Internet-based new order managing and service part requisition sub-systems.     

模型驱动下的Web应用系统自动生成

为了提高Web应用系统开发效率,提出了模型驱动下的Web应用系统自动生成方法。这种生成方法是以Me—taEdit＋作为元建模工具,首先创建Web应用系统元模型、定制DSL,进而建立Web应用系统领域模型,然后通过MetaEdit＋提供的生成器定义语言MERL,软件开发人员可以很方便地设计出Web应用系统所需的JSP生成器、Servlet生成器、Jayabeans生成器和数据库生成器,从Web应用系统图形模型直接生成整个Web应用系统。最后通过一个WebShopping实例详细介绍了模型驱动下的Web应用系统生成方法及生成过程。经测试,所生成的Web应用系统可以在Windows操作系统中的Web应用服务器上正确运行。     

Service-Oriented Computing: Bringing Business Systems to the Web

The notion of "service" has spurred major evolutions for both information systems and the Web. A software application is no longer considered a monolithic component; it can be divided into services that are smaller components defined by their function and accessible through well-defined interfaces and protocols. As a result, IT actors are using service-oriented architectures (SOAs) to remodel the information systems of many companies while the Web is increasingly becoming a programmable place. In both domains, developers build composite client applications to consume these services. Even boundaries between enterprise services and Internet services are vanishing. Some companies, such as Strikelron provide enterprise services that were previously always hosted internally - like customer relationship management solutions. As a consequence, companies now have the technologies required to bring their business online. With Web services, private business processes can be exposed to partners through public composite Web applications. When new projects emerge, companies need guidance to properly handle such work. In this context, we aim to provide companies solutions - through a methodology, an architecture, and technical choices - that will help them solve generic problems such as security and application conception     

基于业务流程的Web应用监控系统研究

在分析并研究网络应用监控系统、流程控制系统现状和发展趋势的基础上,提出一种基于业务流程的Web应用监控系统。该系统使用流程录制技术实现自定义监控业务流程,利用Web数据挖掘完成业务流程识别及流程获取,通过分离数据采集和监控服务,降低对监控对象的影响。实际监控结果证明,该系统不仅可以完成传统监控系统的工作,还可以从这些监控数据中挖掘出用户所需的业务流程信息,为软件系统优化、质量改进以及系统重构提供准确和有效的依据。     

On the application of model-driven engineering in data reengineering

Model-Driven Engineering (MDE) emphasizes the systematic use of models to improve software productivity and some aspects of the software quality such as maintainability or interoperability. Model-driven techniques have proven useful not only as regards developing new software applications but also the reengineering of legacy systems. Models and metamodels provide a high-level formalism with which to represent artefacts commonly manipulated in the different stages of a software evolution process (e.g., a software migration) while model transformation allows the automation of the evolution tasks to be performed. Some approaches and experiences of model-driven software reengineering have recently been presented but they have been focused on the code while data reengineering aspects have been overlooked. The objective of this work is to assess to what extent data reengineering processes could also take advantage of MDE techniques.The article starts by characterising data-reengineering in terms of the tasks involved. It then goes on to state that MDE is particularly amenable as regards addressing the tasks previously identified. We present an MDE-based approach for the reengineering of data whose purpose is to improve the quality of the logical schema in a relational data migration scenario. As a proof of concept, the approach is illustrated for two common problems in data re-engineering: undeclared foreign keys and disabled constraints. This approach is organised following the three stages of a software reengineering process: reverse engineering, restructuring and forward engineering. We show how each stage is implemented by means of model transformation chains. A running example is used to illustrate each stage of the process throughout the article. The approach is validated with a real widely-used database. An assessment of the application of MDE in each stage is then presented, and we conclude by identifying the main benefits and drawbacks of using MDE in data reengineering.     

WIRES: A Methodology for Developing Workflow Applications

Workflow management systems are becoming a relevant support for a large class of business applications, and many workflow models as well as commercial products are currently available. While the large availability of tools facilitates the development and the fulfilment of customer requirements, workflow application development still requires methodological guidelines that drive the developers in the complex task of rapidly producing effective applications. In fact, it is necessary to identify and model the business processes, to design the interfaces towards existing cooperating systems, and to manage implementation aspects in an integrated way. This paper presents the WIRES methodology for developing workflow applications under a uniform modelling paradigm – UML modelling tools with some extensions – that covers all the life cycle of these applications: from conceptual analysis to implementation. High-level analysis is performed under different perspectives, including a business and an organisational perspective. Distribution, interoperability and cooperation with external information systems are considered in this early stage. A set of “workflowability” criteria is provided in order to identify which candidate processes are suited to be implemented as workflows. Non-functional requirements receive particular emphasis in that they are among the most important criteria for deciding whether workflow technology can be actually useful for implementing the business process at hand. The design phase tackles aspects of concurrency and cooperation, distributed transactions and exception handling. Reuse of component workflows, available in a repository as workflow fragments, is a distinguishing feature of the method. Implementation aspects are presented in terms of rules that guide in the selection of a commercial workflow management system suitable for supporting the designed processes, coupled with guidelines for mapping the designed workflows onto the model offered by the selected system.     

基于J2EE平台构建大型业务支撑系统的研究

对基于J2EE平台开发的典型Web应用进行了缺陷分析,并以此为依据,阐述了各种改进技术的综合运用方法以及构建大型业务支撑系统的可行性方案,为各行业构建实际业务系统提供了参考.     

Finding alternatives and reduced formulations for process-based models

This paper addresses the problem of model complexity commonly arising in constructing and using process-based models with intricate interactions. Apart from complex process details the dynamic behavior of such systems is often limited to a discrete number of typical states. Thus, models reproducing the system's processes in all details are often too complex and over-parameterized. In order to reduce simulation times and to get a better impression of the important mechanisms, simplified formulations are desirable. In this work a data adaptive model reduction scheme that automatically builds simple models from complex ones is proposed. The method can be applied to the transformation and reduction of systems of ordinary differential equations. It consists of a multistep approach using a low dimensional projection of the model data followed by a Genetic Programming/Genetic Algorithm hybrid to evolve new model systems. As the resulting models again consist of differential equations, their process-based interpretation in terms of new state variables becomes possible. Transformations of two simple models with oscillatory dynamics, simulating a mathematical pendulum and predator-prey interactions respectively, serve as introductory examples of the method's application. The resulting equations of force indicate the predator-prey system's equivalence to a nonlinear oscillator. In contrast to the simple pendulum it contains driving and damping forces that produce a stable limit cycle.     

A synergy between context-aware policies and AOP to achieve highly adaptable Web services

Modern service-based systems are frequently required to be highly adaptable in order to cope with rapid changes and evolution of business goals, requirements, as well as physical context in a dynamic business environment. Unfortunately, adaptive systems are still difficult to build due to their high complexity. In this paper, we propose a new approach for developing highly adaptable Web services based on a synergy between context-aware Web service policies and Aspect-Oriented Programming. This synergy is achieved through the elaboration of an innovative extension of the Web Service Policy Language (WSPL), which allows for context specification at both policy and rule levels. In addition, we provide a tool for the development of aspect-oriented policies, including an option to translate WSPL policies into aspect-oriented policies. These policies can be automatically woven into composite Web services (e.g., a BPEL process). The elaborated synergy between context, policies, and aspects allows service providers to increase the level of adaptability of Web services at different layers of applications.     

Web services management: a survey

Solutions based on service-oriented architectures are promising in that they leverage common services and enable collaborative business processes that cross organizational boundaries. However, because Web services applications can span multiple hosts, operating systems, languages, and enterprises, it's problematic to measure, control, and manage application availability and performance. In addition to discussing the relationship of Web services management to traditional distributed systems management, this survey explores various Web services management approaches and their underlying architectural concepts.     

Formalising natural language specifications using a cognitive linguistic/configuration based approach

This paper addresses the problem of transforming business specifications written in natural language into formal models suitable for use in information systems development. It proposes a method for transforming controlled natural language specifications based on the Semantics of Business Vocabulary and Business Rules standard. This approach is unique in combining techniques from Model-Driven Engineering (MDE), Cognitive Linguistics, and Knowledge-based Configuration, which allows the reliable semantic processing of specifications and integration with existing MDE tools to improve productivity, quality, and time-to-market in software development. The method first learns the vocabulary of the specification from glossary-like definitions then parses the rules of the specification and outputs the resulting formal SBVR model. Both aspects of the method are tested separately, with the system correctly learning 98% of the vocabulary and correctly interpreting 98% of the rules of an SBVR SE based example. Finally, the proposed method is compared to state-of-the-art approaches for creating formal models from natural language specifications, arguing that it meets the criteria necessary to fulfil the three goals of (1) shifting control of specification to non-technical business experts, (2) reducing the manual effort involved in formalising specifications, and (3) supporting business experts in creating well-formed sets of business vocabularies and rules.     

TALISMAN MDE: Mixing MDE principles

The Model-Driven Engineering approach is progressively gaining popularity in the software engineering community as it raises the level of abstraction in software development. In TALISMAN MDE framework, we combine the principles of the two most important initiatives, Model-Driven Architecture and Software Factories. Both have their pros and cons, and we select the best from each in TALISMAN MDE. To show the advantages of TALISMAN MDE, we have developed a systems generator and used it to create applications for controlling food traceability. The applications are being used in dairies with different manufacturing processes, using software developed specifically for each dairy by working only with models, without additional programming.     

A semantic approach to a framework for business domain software systems

In enterprise firms, enormous amounts of electronic documents are generated by business analysts and other business domain application users. Applications that use these documents are often driven by business logic that is hard-coded together with application logic. One approach to the separation of business logic from applications is to create and maintain business and information extraction rules in an external, user-friendly format. The drawback of such an externalization is that the business rules, usually, do not have machine interpretable semantics. This situation often leads to misinterpretation of domain analysis documents, which can inhibit the productivity of computer-assisted analytical work and the effectiveness of business solutions. This paper proposes an ontology and rule-based framework for the development of business domain applications, which includes semantic processing of externalized business rules and to some extent externalization of application logic. The creation of external information extraction rules by the business analyst is a cumbersome and time consuming task. In order to overcome this problem, the framework also includes a rule learning system to semi-automate the generation of information extraction rules from source documents with the help of manual annotations. The main idea behind the work presented in this paper is to re-engineer very large enterprise information systems to adapt to Semantic Web computing techniques. The work presented in this paper is inspired by an industrial project.     

基于解析树的Java Web灰盒模糊测试

由于Java Web应用业务场景复杂,且对输入数据的结构有效性要求较高,现有的测试方法和工具在测试Java Web时存在测试用例的有效率较低的问题.为了解决上述问题,本文提出了基于解析树的Java Web应用灰盒模糊测试方法.首先为Java Web应用程序的输入数据包进行语法建模创建解析树,区分分隔符和数据块,并为解析树中每一个叶子结点挂接一个种子池,隔离测试用例的单个数据块,通过数据包拼接生成符合Java Web应用业务格式的输入,从而提高测试用例的有效率;为了保留高质量的数据块,在测试期间根据测试程序的执行反馈信息,为每个数据块种子单独赋予权值;为了突破深度路径,会在相应种子池中基于条件概率学习提取数据块种子特征.本文实现了基于解析树的Java Web应用灰盒模糊测试系统PTreeFuzz,测试结果表明,该系统相较于现有工具取得了更好的测试准确率.     

Modeling and designing processes in e-commerce applications

State-of-the-art Web applications include both navigational elements and business processes, but most Web application design methods treat business processes as just another kind of navigation. The authors' extensions to the object-oriented hypermedia design method (OOHDM) aim to remedy this situation. Rather than using navigation to emulate business processes, their new mechanisms allow developers to specify and implement processes explicitly by dealing with activity semantics and states. We describe proposed extensions to OOHDM and explore their use at an online retail store.     

A semantical framework to engineering WSBPEL processes

Web services promise the interoperability of various applications running on heterogeneous platforms over the Internet, and are gaining more and more attention. Web service composition refers to the process of combining Web services to provide value-added services, which has received much interest in supporting enterprize application integration. Industry standards for Web Service composition, such as WSBPEL, provide the notation and additional control mechanisms for the execution of business processes in Web service collaborations. However, these standards do not provide support for checking interesting properties related to Web Service and process behavior. In an attempt to fill this gap, we describe a formalization of WSBPEL business processes, that adds communications semantics to the specifications of interacting Web services, and uses a formal logic to model their dynamic behavior, which enables their formal analysis and the inference of relevant properties of the systems being built.     

Pattern-driven green adaptation of process-based applications and their runtime infrastructure

Business processes are a key aspect of modern organization. In recent years, business process management and optimization has been applied to different cross-cutting concerns such as security, compliance, or Green IT, for example. Based on the ecological characteristics of a business process, proper environmentally sustainable adaptation strategies can be chosen to improve the total environmental impact of the business process. We use ecological sustainable adaptation strategies that are described as green business process patterns. The application of such a green business process pattern, however, affects the business process layer, the application component and the infrastructure layer. This implies that changes in the application infrastructure also need to be considered. Hence, we use best practices of cloud application architectures which are described as Cloud patterns. To guide developers through the adaptation process we propose a pattern-based approach in this work. We correlate Cloud patterns relevant for sustainable business processes to green business process patterns and organize them within a classification. To provide concrete implementation support we further annotate these Cloud patterns to application component models that are described with the topology and orchestration specification for cloud applications (TOSCA). Using these annotations, we describe a method that provides the means to optimize business processes based on green business process patterns through adapting the implementation of application components with concrete TOSCA implementation models.