2006-03-29

Architecting Software Systems using Model Transformation and Architectural Frameworks

by: Gilles Perrouin

Abstract: In this talk I will present my PhD research entitled "Architecting Software Systems using Model Transformation and Architectural frameworks" currently carried out at the university of Luxembourg in collaboration with the university of Namur.
The goal of this work is to define a methodology that improves the current way we analyze design and develop distributed applications by combining the outstanding results of model driven engineering approaches obtained these last years and the well established framework based development practice.
I will first explain in more details the main concepts our methodology relies on:

• Model Driven Engineering
• Software Architecture
• Product Lines
• Frameworks

I will then demonstrate how, by combining these concepts, we can form the notion of architectural framework central to this thesis. I will pursue on the methodological aspects by exposing the consecutive phases of the approach and describe the various models required for each of them as well as their relationships with the architectural framework.
The approach will be then exemplified on a case study belonging to the e-barter application domain.
I will conclude on some improvements of the methodology and potential future areas of research this thesis may yield to.
Questions and points to be discussed:

1. Imperative vs Declarative approaches to specify mappings between application models and architectural framework ones,
2. OCL-based Textual Use Cases vs Graphical Depiction (Sequence Diagrams, MSc...),
3. Intensive vs Extensive approaches for the specification of product line evolution