Tutorial 1: Sun, Oct 4, 2009, 8:30-12:30

Model-Driven Software Development with Ontologies Canceled

Presenters

• Fernando Silva Parreiras, University of Koblenz-Landau, parreiras@uni-koblenz.de
• Christian Wende, TU Dresden, christian.wende
• Jeff Z. Pan, The University of Aberdeen, jpan@csd.abdn.ac.uk
• Uwe Assmann, TU Dresden, uwe.assmann@tu-dresden.de

Abstract

With the expansion of Model-Driven Software Development (MDSD), ontology technologies like knowledge representation, automated reasoning, dynamic classification and consistency checking play an important role in leveraging disciplines like metamodeling, and domain-specific languages. This tutorial enlightens the application of ontology technologies in MDSD and provides application scenarios in areas like software design patterns, domain-specific languages and variability management.

Ontologies provide shared domain conceptualizations representing knowledge by a vocabulary and, typically, logical definitions to model the problem domain as well as the solution domain. Among ontology languages, the Web Ontology Language (OWL) is the most prominent for Semantic Web applications, providing a class definition language for ontologies.

Indeed, OWL provides important features complementary to UML class-based modeling and OCL that improve software modeling: it allows different ways of describing classes; it handles these descriptions as first-class entities; it provides additional constructs like transitive closure for properties; and it enables dynamic classification of objects based upon class descriptions.

OWL has been applied in the form of Description Logic languages to achieve improvements on the maintainability and extensibility. For example, the knowledge encoded in OWL evolves independently of the execution logic, i.e., developers maintain class descriptions in the ontology and not in the software. Moreover, developers may use class descriptions to semantically query the domain. Semantic query plays an important role in large domains.

Tutorial 2: Sun, Oct 4, 2009, 2:00-5:00

Textual Modeling and Language Composition Canceled

Presenters

• Markus Völter, Independent Consultant for itemis, voelter@acm.org
• Eelco Visser, Delft University of Technology, visser@acm.org

Abstract

Textual languages are becoming more mainstream in MDD. They have a couple of advantages: developers know how to efficiently work with text, and there is a lot of existing infrastructure for text artifacts. However, they also have their challenges. Traditional parser technology limits composability of language fragments. And structural, cause-effect or timing relationships are often best shown graphically.

In this tutorial we will provide an overview of the state of the art of textual DSLs. We will explain the challenges above and how they are resolved by a representative sample of existing (open source) tools: Eclipse TMF, the Syntax Definition Formalism SDF, and JetBrains' MPS. Attendees will be able to judge for themselves which technology is best for their context.

TMF plays the role of a traditional, parser based framework that is productionready, integrated with a mature platform and easy to use. SDF represents leading edge parser technology and showcase language modularization based on parsers. MPS represents projectional/syntax directed editing where no parsing is necessary and hence language modularization is simple.

We will also briefly address the topic of visualization, i.e. generating graphical views of textual models using renderers like Graphviz, Eclipse ZEST, XMind and Ubigraph.

Tutorial 3: Mon, Oct 5, 2009, 8:30-5:00

Effective Model Driven Engineering Patterns Principles and Practices in Action Canceled

Presenters

• Bruce Trask, MDE Systems Inc., bruce.trask@mdesystems.com (contact presenter)
• Angel Roman, MDE Systems Inc., angel.roman@mdesystems.com

Abstract

Model Driven Engineering (MDE) brings together multiple technologies and critical innovations and formalizes them into the next wave of software development methods. This tutorial will cover the basic patterns principles and practices of MDE and will cover complete concrete examples of the development process of MDE languages and tools. The three main MDE categories include the development of Domain Specific Languages (DSL), Domain Specific Editors (including both Visual and Textual Languages) and Domain Specific Transformation Engines or Generators. Expressed in terms of language development technology, these mirror the development of the Abstract Syntax, Concrete Syntax and Semantics of new Domain Specific Languages. This tutorial will cover the basic effective patterns, principles and practices for developing these MDE software artifacts. The tutorial will show how to apply these concepts as effective means with which to both raise levels of abstraction and domain specificity and thus increase power and value of tools and languages that allow developers to tackle the complexities of today's software systems. It will also show how to effectively leverage abstraction without sacrificing the ability to robustly and precisely refine these abstractions to solve real world problems. Additionally, this tutorial will cover the exact details of how to leverage a real world Language Workbench to support the development of these three areas. This example Language Workbench comes from the industrial strength commercial quality Eclipse Modeling project and includes the Eclipse Modeling Framework (EMF), the Eclipse Graphical Editor Framework (GEF), and the Eclipse Graphical Modeling Framework (GMF) as well as others. These three frameworks provide a unique and integrated platform in which to learn the basics of Model Driven Engineering in full application not just in theory.

This is a full day tutorial broken into three parts. The first part covers core MDE definitions and concepts and their applicability in the unique context of today's complex software systems. The second part covers the anatomy of Language Workbenches with specific and concrete detailed examples from the Eclipse Modeling Project. The third part integrates all the concepts and tools and creates a Domain Specific Modeling Language for a real world platform. The target platform will be the recently released Android Mobile platform.

Tutorial 4: Tue, Oct 6, 2009, 8:30-12:30

MDE4DRE-QoS: Model-Driven Engineering for Quality of Service Provisioning in Distributed Real-time and Embedded Systems

Presenters

• Aniruddha S. Gokhale, Vanderbilt University, a.gokhale@vanderbilt.edu, (point of contact)
• James H. Hill, Indiana University/Purdue University at Indianapolis, hillj@cs.iupui.edu

Abstract

Distributed real-time and embedded (DRE) systems require multiple, simultaneous quality of service (QoS) properties, such as predictability, reliability and security. Assuring QoS properties for DRE systems is a hard problem due to the conflicting demands imposed by each dimension of QoS. On one hand DRE domain experts face substantial challenges in defining the desired QoS properties for different parts of their DRE systems since they must first understand the impact of individual QoS dimensions on each other at a conceptual level. On the other hand DRE system integrators face substantial challenges provisioning QoS properties on the platforms that host the DRE systems due to a lack of proper understanding of how choices of platform configurations they make will impact the overall QoS delivered to the system. Model-driven engineering (MDE) plays a vital role in addressing these challenges. Domain-specific modeling languages (DSMLs) associated with MDE tools provide intuitive abstractions of QoS properties to DRE domain experts, who can use them to express the QoS properties they desire for their systems. Analysis tools associated with the MDE frameworks can provide vital feedback to the domain experts on the severity of conflicts between the QoS dimensions. For the systems integrators, the same MDE framework can provide automated mechanisms to map the QoS properties defined in the problem space to platform configurations in the solution space. This tutorial will illustrate these features of MDE using the CoSMIC MDE framework. A number of case studies and short demonstrations will be used to illustrate the challenges and the solutions provided by MDE tools.

Tutorial 5: Tue, Oct 6, 2009, 2:00-6:00

Model Driven Language Engineering

Presenters

• Jean-Marc Jézéquel, IRISA (INRIA & Univ. Rennes 1), jezequel@irisa.fr
• Franck Fleurey, SINTEF, fleurey@gmail.com

Abstract

In many domains such as aerospace and automotive industries, engineers rely on Domain Specific Modeling Languages (DSML) to solve the complex issues of engineering safety critical software. Traditional Language Engineering starts with the grammar of a language to produce a variety of tools for processing programs expressed in this language. Recently however, many new languages tend to be first defined through metamodels, i.e. models describing their abstract syntax. Relying on well tooled standards such as E-MOF, this approach makes it possible to readily benefit from a set of tools such as reflexive editors, or XML serialization of models. This tutorial aims at showing how Model Driven Engineering can easily complement these over-the-shelf tools to obtain a complete environment for such a language, including interpreter, compiler, pretty-printer and customizable editors. We illustrate the conceptual simplicity and elegance of this approach using the running example of the well known LOGO programming language, developed within the Kermeta environment.