The Two Aspects Of Software Modeling

Published Date: 02 Nov 2017

The first phase starts with the work by Curtis. B and Iscoc [26] in which they have argued the key concept of Software Engineering community that can be used to point possible research directions in operationalising the Activity Theory framework. We have used the concept of Booch and Rambaugh[53] for application of Activity Theory in object oriented design. Similar work has been modified by Pavia and Hartley[91] who have explored the benefits of specific interpretations of Engestrom’s refinement of Vyotsky’s mediating artifacts and its linking with necessary tools.

McGarth [86, 87] has also highlighted the issues of application of activity theory in business process modeling tool with enhancement

of ‘how’ and "why" factors being divided into two broad categories of ‘hard’ & ‘soft’ factors. He has developed a meta-data levels in entity-relationship (E-R) [96] from which we have derived the template of merging activity theory with multi-agent systems.

We are inspired by the work of Ruben and Gomez [99] which highlights a framework to integrate the modeling language with activity theory (A.T). They have highlighted that whether the objects be raw materials or even problem spaces, the activity is directed at objects that are to be molded or transformed into outcomes with the help of physical, symbolic, external and internal tools. These outcomes are performance of the activity and the community of the systems refers to those subjects who share the same objects. Lastly, activity systems are constrained by the formal, informal and technical rules, norms and convention of the community that are covered under the term "Rules".

Pavon[99,101] in his work on "Mapping on modeling language" has developed a mapping process of activity theory framework with Multiagent System(MAS). It highlights the translation process consists of four main steps: The first step selects the mapping rule to be applied. The second instantiates the match with specification and adds the result to the translation. The third step stores the selected match along with the instantiation function in a repository of translations. We are motivated by the automated tool which they have developed called "Activity Theory Assistant"(ATA), which facilitates multiagent systems developers with A.T. based techniques. We have enhanced the concept of "ATA" in developing OPAT modeling tool, by combining OPEN+A.T. framework of development environment supporting multi-agent systems. Wahle, J[124] had shown how UML can be exploited to design a multiagent system at the agent level, in particular it presents a set of agent- oriented diagrams intended to provided an UML based notation to model: the architecture of the mulitagent systems , the ontology followed by agents and interaction protocols used between the agents .

The analysis of Unified Modeling focuses on OPEN framework with acronym Object, Process, Environment and Notation. It is a process –focused, "third generation", full lifecycle object oriented methodology. It was initially created by a merger of three second generation methods (MOSES, SOMA and Firesmith’s method[56]). Graham et al [54] in their paper on object modeling defined OPEN as embedded project management and its reusability. The prime concern of this paper is the description about the methodology for measuring the software quality and the use of metrics .The main task force behind the development of OPEN are Vovnessi and Henderson-Sellers. Their focus is on large granularity in software development process. Edwards and Henderson-Sellors[56,57,58,59] have enhanced the concept of SEPA(software engineering process architecture) for object oriented development, which is embedded in OPEN providing an integrated framework . Firesmith and Henderson Sellers in the articles on UML and OML associations and referential relationship have pointed out some advantages of OML (an OPEN framework supported language) over UML. In the paper "Object Library Management systems", he has described a comparative evaluation of Object Oriented methodologies from a business rule and quality prospective. Daniel[56] also extends the OPEN framework by force-fitting the "lifecycle" and the "design" process together as a single tool for both development and management.

Li. M and Chong [80] in the paper on "Agent Oriented urban traffic simulation" has described the use of interaction agent in controlling and management of urban traffic systems, the shortcomings with the paper was improper connectivity between multiagent and object modeling. Zhoa & Xin Chen[77] in the paper on Intelligent Cooperation Algorithm proposed urban traffic control system based on generic reinforcement learning. We have used their System Framework methodology to develop OPAT modeling tool.

Frances, Nick and Jain[95] have also presented a framework named DESIRE (framework for designing and specification of interacting reasoning components ). The aim of this model is to provide high level modeling framework which enables both the specification and implementation of a systems designer view to explicitly and precisely specify both the ingredient’s functionality. DESIRE views both the individual agents and the overall system as a compositional architecture covering all the functionality designed as a series of interacting tasks based on hierarchically structured components. We have used some of the functionalities of DESIRE framework in our tool OPAT. DESIRE programming environment does not support any drag and drop or pop-up menu functionalities in the framework, thus making it difficult to use.

In building a combinational framework we are motivated by the work of R.J.F.Rossetti and S. Bampi[101]. In their paper "Software environment to integrate urban traffic simulation tasks", they have beautifully migrated from the complex UTS modeling to objecting oriented approach by dividing UTS into three types of flows: Vehicle flow, Information flow and Decision flow. They have developed an action model which is a translation of the knowledge model into a mathematical formulation and programming language. Besides that they have developed structure and the working of a system in a natural and graphical language. If the system exists, the knowledge model comprises knowledge from the observation of the system. We have used their concept partially in building UTS domain in OPEN framework and extended it to built application of multiagent system consisting of central agents and local agent controls.

The second phase of our thesis deals with the extension of OPEN framework for web modeling using the concept of Model Driven Architecture. We have modified the concept of Nora Koch and Andreas Kraus[71,72] presented in the paper "The expressive power of UML based web engineering". The paper explain building of navigation and presentation models for web application with special UML stereotyped modeling diverts and tagged values, the paper also discusses dynamic aspects of the design of web application, such as tasks modeling and modeling of web scenarios. We have applied the concept of Web Engineering in building web application of urban traffic system using OPEN framework. Rachatrin and David[100] in the paper " WIED : A web modeling language " have given an insight to a formal information modeling set which can be considered as a companion to an existing modeling language WEBML and UWE, facilitating abstraction at higher level of information modeling. Although it is totally a new concept in the field of web modeling WIED graphical notation are not suitable at certain levels of abstraction and currently there are no graphical tool to support WIED. However it has motivated us in providing a methodology which provides a bridge between business models and detailed information design.

To model a web application in Device and Platform independence environment we have extended the papers by C. Abathier and J. Warmer [67] on "Model Driven Architecture Design" and "MDA explained: The model driven architecture practice and promises". These papers provide an efficient methodology of modeling a web application using SOAP-based web services along with XML language support. The concept of MyXML language support for modeling PIM and DIWM are discussed in both the papers. It provides a guideline for Layout /Content /Logic (LCL) operation used to design and define the content and interfaces to the application logic, integration and compositional analyses.

SOAP discussed in the paper by Nora Koch[50] provides an XML based lightweight protocol for exchange of information in a decentralized, distributed environment, the second phase of the model deals with enhancing the requirement engineering process using activity theory, we are inspired by the work of Stephane Meyshe[113,114] on " Natural Language Understanding" which demonstrates the use of Natural Language in preparation of electronic medical record by developing an information model allowing the exchange of clinical information between NLU application and the problem list . The models are conceived and represented in UML and later on represented in XML schemata. We have developed a model on similar lines which will help in creation of a web application for urban traffic system using NLP and OPEN Architecture.

The last stage discusses the use of OCL(object constraint language ) as a formal method to verify our OPAT modeling tool. The application of formal method in our model has been derived from the paper by Kevin L and Juan.B[70] which argues the use of formal method for software development and its advantages.

The application of OCL in OPEN framework is being derived from the work of Warmer and Kleppe [125] on "OCL as CORE UML Transformation language" and "Collaborating UML/OCL Framework" They help in establishing a relational database view that can be correctly expressed as a derived class in UML/OCL. They have shown how OCL is relationally complete in minimal sense. Last step involves conversion of OCL into XML format which is described in the paper by Jacquies [66]. It discusses XML based language to represent OCL (object constraint language) in UML models. It extends a two step process; construction of simple meta-model and the second step derivation of XML schema for the Meta model. We have used the concept of XOCL in OPAT framework to finally convert it into XML for modeling exchange environment supporting automatic web modeling.