Applying CIM-to-PIM model transformations for the service-oriented development of information systems

Context

Model-driven approaches deal with the provision of models, transformations between them and code generators to address software development. This approach has the advantage of defining a conceptual structure, where the models used by business managers and analysts can be mapped into more detailed models used by software developers. This alignment between high-level business specifications and the lower-level information technologies (ITs) models is crucial to the field of service-oriented development, where meaningful business services and process specifications are those relevant to real business scenarios.

Objective

This paper presents a model-driven approach which, starting from high-level computational-independent business models (CIMs) - the business view - sets out guidelines for obtaining lower-level platform-independent behavioural models (PIMs) - the information system view. A key advantage of our approach is the use of real high-level business models, not just requirements models, which, by means of model transformations, helps software developers to make the most of the business knowledge for specifying and developing business services.

Method

This proposal is framed in a method for service-oriented development of information systems whose main characteristic is the use of services as first-class objects. The method follows an MDA-based approach, proposing a set of models at different levels of abstraction and model transformations to connect them.

Results

The paper present the complete set of CIM and PIM metamodels and the specification of the mappings between them, which clear advantage is the support for the alignment between high-level business view and ITs. The proposed model-driven process is being implemented in an MDA tool. A first prototype has been used to develop a travel agency case study that illustrates the proposal.

Conclusion

This study shows how a model-driven approach helps to solve the alignment problem between the business view and the information system view that arises when adopting service-oriented approaches for software development.     

A relational approach to defining and implementing transformations between metamodels

The Model-Driven Architecture initiative of the OMG promotes the idea of transformations in the context of mapping from platform independent to platform specific models. Additionally, the popularity of XML and the wide spread use of XSLT has raised the profile of model transformation as an important technique for computing. In fact, computing may well be moving to a new paradigm in which models are considered first class entities and transformations between them are a major function performed on those models. This paper proposes an approach to defining and implementing model transformations which uses metamodelling patterns to capture the essence of mathematical relations. It shows how these patterns can be used to define the relationship between two different metamodels. A goal of the approach is to enable complete specifications from which tools can be generated. The paper describes implementations of the examples, which have been partially generated from the definitions using a tool generation tool. A number of issues emerge which need to be solved in order to achieve the stated goal; these are discussed.     

Towards the efficient development of model transformations using model weaving and matching transformations

Model transformations can be used in many different application scenarios, for instance, to provide interoperability between models of different size and complexity. As a consequence, they are becoming more and more complex. However, model transformations are typically developed manually. Several code patterns are implemented repetitively, thus increasing the probability of programming errors and reducing code reusability. There is not yet a complete solution that automates the development of model transformations. In this paper, we present a novel approach that uses matching transformations and weaving models to semi-automate the development of transformations. Weaving models are models that contain different kinds of relationships between model elements. These relationships capture different transformation patterns. Matching transformations are a special kind of transformations that implement methods that create weaving models. We present a practical solution that enables the creation and the customization of different creation methods in an efficient way. We combine different methods, and present a metamodel-based method that exploits metamodel data to automatically produce weaving models. The weaving models are derived into model integration transformations. To validate our approach, we present an experiment using metamodels with distinct size and complexity, which show the feasibility and scalability of our solution.

Rule-based update transformations and their application to model refactorings

A rule-based update transformation is a model transformation where a single model is transformed in place. A model refactoring is a model transformation that improves the design described in the model. A refactoring should only affect a previously chosen subset of the original model. In this paper, we discuss how to define and execute model refactorings as rule-based transformations in the context of the UML and MOF standards. We also present an experimental tool to execute this kind of transformation.     

The formal-CAFE methodology and model checking patterns in the specification of e-commerce systems

Electronic commerce is an important application that has evolved significantly recently. However, electronic commerce systems are complex and difficult to be correctly designed. Guaranteeing the correctness of an e-commerce system is not an easy task due to the great amount of scenarios where errors occur, many of them very subtle. In this work we presents a methodology that uses formal-method techniques, specifically symbolic model checking, to design electronic commerce applications and to automatically verify them. Also, a model checking pattern hierarchy has been developed—it specifies patterns to construct and verify the formal model of e-commerce systems. We consider this research the first step to the development of a framework, which will integrate the methodology, an e-commerce specification language based on business rules, and a model checker. Adriano Pereira received the B.S. and M.S. degrees in computer science in 2000 and 2002, respectively, and he is currently pursuing the Ph.D. degree in computer science from the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. His current interests are on performance analysis and modeling of e-business and distributed systems, and formal methods. Mark Song received the B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in computer science from the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. His current interests are on distributed systems and formal methods – especially BMC (Bounded Model Checking). Gustavo Franco received the B.S. and M.S. degrees in computer science in 2001 and 2004, respectively, from the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. His research was on modeling the user behavior of e-business and distributed systems, and formal methods. Actually his current interests are on software engeneering and project management of IT projects.     

The design of a language for model transformations

Model-driven development of software systems envisions transformations applied in various stages of the development process. Similarly, the use of domain-specific languages also necessitates transformations that map domain-specific constructs into the constructs of an underlying programming language. Thus, in these cases, the writing of transformation tools becomes a first-class activity of the software engineer. This paper introduces a language that was designed to support implementing highly efficient transformation programs that perform model-to-model or model-to-code translations. The language uses the concepts of graph transformations and metamodeling, and is supported by a suite of tools that allow the rapid prototyping and realization of transformation tools.     

Model-driven engineering: A survey supported by the unified conceptual model

During the last decade a new trend of approaches has emerged, which considers models not just documentation artefacts, but also central artefacts in the software engineering field, allowing the creation or automatic execution of software systems starting from those models. These proposals have been classified generically as Model-Driven Engineering (MDE) and share common concepts and terms that need to be abstracted, discussed and understood. This paper presents a survey on MDE based on a unified conceptual model that clearly identifies and relates these essential concepts, namely the concepts of system, model, metamodel, modeling language, transformations, software platform, and software product. In addition, this paper discusses the terminologies relating MDE, MDD, MDA and others. This survey is based on earlier work, however, contrary to those, it intends to give a simple, broader and integrated view of the essential concepts and respective terminology commonly involved in the MDE, answering to key questions such as: What is a model? What is the relation between a model and a metamodel? What are the key facets of a modeling language? How can I use models in the context of a software development process? What are the relations between models and source code artefacts and software platforms? and What are the relations between MDE, MDD, MDA and other MD approaches?     

A framework for evolution of modelling languages

In model-driven engineering, evolution is inevitable over the course of the complete life cycle of complex software-intensive systems and more importantly of entire product families. Not only instance models, but also entire modelling languages are subject to change. This is in particular true for domain-specific languages, whose language constructs are tightly coupled to an application domain.The most popular approach to evolution in the modelling domain is a manual process, with tedious and error-prone migration of artefacts such as instance models as a result. This paper provides a taxonomy for evolution of modelling languages and discusses the different evolution scenarios for various kinds of modelling artefacts, such as instance models, meta-models, and transformation models. Subsequently, the consequences of evolution and the required remedial actions are decomposed into primitive scenarios such that all possible evolutions can be covered exhaustively. These primitives are then used in a high-level framework for the evolution of modelling languages.We suggest that our structured approach enables the design of (semi-)automatic modelling language evolution solutions.     

Design,code generation and simulation of IoT environments with mobility devices by using model-driven development: SimulateIoT-Mobile

Systems based on the Internet of Things (IoT) are continuously growing in many areas such as smart cities, home environments, buildings, agriculture, industry, etc. Device mobility is one of the key aspects of these IoT systems, but managing it could be a challenge. Mobility exposes the IoT environment or Industrial IoT (IIoT) to situations such as packet loss, increased delay or jitter, dynamism in the network topology, new security threats, etc. In addition, there is no standard for mobility management for the most commonly used IoT protocols, such as MQTT or CoAP. Consequently, managing IoT mobility is a hard, error-prone and tedious task. However, increasing the abstraction level from which the IoT systems are designed helps to tackle the underlying technology complexity. In this regard, Model-driven development approaches can help to both reduce the IoT application time to market and tackle the technological complexity to develop IoT applications. In this paper, a Domain-Specific Language based on SimulateIoT is proposed for the design, code generation and simulation of IoT systems with mobility management for the MQTT protocol. The IoT systems generated integrate the sensors, actuators, fog nodes, cloud nodes and the architecture that supports mobility, which are deployed as microservices on Docker containers and composed suitability. Finally, two case studies focused on animal tracking and a Personal mobility device (PMD) based on bicycles IoT systems are presented to show the IoT solutions deployed.     

支持MDA的设计模式建模与模型转换方法研究

设计模式是描述某一类问题的通用解决方案,可以提高软件开发的可重用性,但在设计模式建模中存在模式消失和模式组合复杂化等问题,模型的可扩展性低,不利于模型到代码的自动化转换。由此,在MDA框架下,引入角色的建模思想,提出了一种基于Ecore的设计模式建模和模型转换方法,该方法在元模型层抽象并扩展了设计模式通用元素的元模型,使得不同的模式组合模型通过对相同的模式元素元模型进行转换可以获得相应的应用模型,从而增强了设计模式建模的可扩展性和模型转换的通用性,为MDA框架中设计模式建模和模型转换提供了一种有效的途径。     

Modularization of model transformations through a phasing mechanism

In recent years a great effort has been devoted to understanding the nature of model transformations. As a result, several mechanisms to improve model transformation languages have been proposed. Phasing has been mentioned in some works as a rule scheduling or organization mechanism, but without any detail. In this paper, we present a phasing mechanism in the context of rule-based transformation languages. We explain the structure and the behavior of the mechanism, and how it can be integrated in a language. We also analyze how the mechanism promotes modularity, internal transformation composition and helps to solve usual transformation problems. Besides, we show several examples of application to illustrate the usefulness of the mechanism.     

创造性设计思维的阶梯开发模式研究

创造性设计思维发展的内在规律是设计思维研究领域最富挑战性的研究内容。文章依据创造性设计思维学说。在解析产品设计过程创造性设计思维发展阶段的内在机理基础上,建构了创造性设计思维的阶梯开发模式。     

设计模式形式化方法分析和初步比较

形式化足设汁模式发展的必然要求和直接推动力。该文对主要几种方法进行了分析和比较,分别从模式语音、理论基础、语言元素、工具支持等角度来论述。最后,总结了存在的问题,在此基础上预言了未来研究的发展方向。     

MDE for SoC design

We employ the principles of model-driven engineering to assist the design of system-on-chip (SoC) architectures. As a concrete example, we look at the MICAS architecture, for which we propose a graphical specification language, defined via metamodeling techniques, that models the architecture at different abstraction levels. Model transformations are defined to support the refinement of MICAS specification towards implementation. In addition, several libraries are put in place, to enable reuse and automation throughout the design process. Tool support for editing the specifications, enforcing their consistency, and for running the transformations is provided via the Coral modeling framework. The approach shows that model-driven engineering can be seen as an enabler in providing computer-aided software engineering (CASE) tool support and automation for the development of SoC architectures.     

A model-driven approach for developing a model repository: Methodology and tool support

Several development approaches have been proposed to cope with the increasing complexity of embedded system design. The most widely used approaches are those using models as the main artifacts to be constructed and maintained. The desired role of models is to ease, systematize and standardize the approach to the construction of software-based systems. To enforce reuse and interconnect the process of model specification and system development with models, we promote a model-based approach coupled with a model repository. In this paper, we propose a model-driven engineering methodological approach for the development of a model repository and an operational architecture for development tools. In addition, we provide evidence of the benefits and feasibility of our approach by reporting on a preliminary prototype that provides a model-based repository of security and dependability (S&D) pattern models. Finally, we apply the proposed approach in practice to a use case from the railway domain with strong S&D requirements.     

Definitions and approaches to model quality in model-based software development – A review of literature

More attention is paid to the quality of models along with the growing importance of modelling in software development. We performed a systematic review of studies discussing model quality published since 2000 to identify what model quality means and how it can be improved. From forty studies covered in the review, six model quality goals were identified; i.e., correctness, completeness, consistency, comprehensibility, confinement and changeability. We further present six practices proposed for developing high-quality models together with examples of empirical evidence. The contributions of the article are identifying and classifying definitions of model quality and identifying gaps for future research.     

Qualifying input test data for model transformations

Model transformation is a core mechanism for model-driven engineering (MDE). Writing complex model transformations is error-prone, and efficient testing techniques are required as for any complex program development. Testing a model transformation is typically performed by checking the results of the transformation applied to a set of input models. While it is fairly easy to provide some input models, it is difficult to qualify the relevance of these models for testing. In this paper, we propose a set of rules and a framework to assess the quality of given input models for testing a given transformation. Furthermore, the framework identifies missing model elements in input models and assists the user in improving these models.