An institution theory of formal meta-modelling in graphically extended BNF

Meta-modelling plays an important role in model driven software development.In this paper,a graphic extension of BNF (GEBNF) is proposed to define the abstract syntax of graphic modelling languages.Fro...     

A hybrid computer simulation-artificial neural network algorithm for optimisation of dispatching rule selection in stochastic job shop scheduling problems

Industrial systems are constantly subject to random events with inevitable uncertainties in production factors, especially in processing times. Due to this stochastic nature, selecting appropriate dispatching rules has become a major issue in practical problems. However, previous research implies that using one dispatching rule does not necessarily yield an optimal schedule. Therefore, a new algorithm is proposed based on computer simulation and artificial neural networks (ANNs) to select the optimal dispatching rule for each machine from a set of rules in order to minimise the makespan in stochastic job shop scheduling problems (SJSSPs). The algorithm contributes to the previous work on job shop scheduling in three significant ways: (1) to the best of our knowledge it is the first time that an approach based on computer simulation and ANNs is proposed to select dispatching rules; (2) non-identical dispatching rules are considered for machines under stochastic environment; and (3) the algorithm is capable of finding the optimal solution of SJSSPs since it evaluates all possible solutions. The performance of the proposed algorithm is compared with computer simulation methods by replicating comprehensive simulation experiments. Extensive computational results for job shops with five and six machines indicate the superiority of the new algorithm compared to previous studies in the literature.     

Enterprise modelling: from early languages to models transformation

During the last 30 years, enterprise modelling has been recognised as an efficient tool to externalise the knowledge of companies in order to understand their operations, to analyse their running and to design new systems from several points of view: functions, processes, decisions, resources and information technology. This paper aims at describing the long evolution of enterprise modelling techniques as well as one of the future challenges of these techniques: the transformation of enterprise models. So, in a first part, the paper describes the evolution of enterprise modelling techniques from the divergence era to the convergence period. In a second time, the paper focuses on the recent advances in the use of enterprise models through model-driven approaches, interoperability problem-solving and simulation, all these advances having the same characteristic to use the transformation of enterprise models.     

Trends,features, and tests of common and recently introduced global optimization methods

Global optimization techniques have been used extensively due to their capability in handling complex engineering problems. In addition to a number of well known global optimization techniques, many new methods have been introduced recently for various optimal design applications. In this work, a number of representative, well known and recently introduced global optimization techniques are closely examined and compared. The historical development, special features and trends on the development of global optimization algorithms are reviewed. Special attention is devoted to the recent developments of multidisciplinary design optimization algorithms based on effective metamodelling techniques. Commonly used benchmark optimization problems are used as test examples to reveal the pros and cons of these global optimization methods. A new meta-model based global optimization search method, introduced and improved recently by the authors, is also included in the tests and comparison.     

Meta-CASE: Is the game worth the candle?

The current generation of CASE (Computer Aided Software Engineering) tools is too inflexible to provide adequate modelling support. One of the proposed solutions to this problem is the development of so-called CASE shells. A CASE shell is a method independent CASE tool, which may be instantiated with a specific method to become a CASE tool supporting that method. As such, a CASE shell provides complete flexibility. This paper does not address the benefits of CASE shells, as they are completely clear, but focuses on the feasibility of this concept from a theoretical as well as a practical point of view.