Applying meta-modelling techniques for automatic generation of collaborative modelling systemsJesús Gallardo Casero

Escuela Superior de Informática

UCLM

Jesús Gallardo Casero

· Member of CHICO.· Assistant Professor in UCLM.· Degree studies in Computer Science.· Ph.D. student.· Research lines:

- Automatic generation of collaborative modelling systems.

- Domain independence in groupware.- Meta-modelling applied to groupware

development.

Outline

Introduction. Domain independence in groupware

systems. Meta-meta-models for domain-

independent modelling systems. Our work. Case study.

Introduction

Groupware development: It needs specific techniques that consider

the particularities of this type of software. Our approach:

Using meta-modelling techniques and component-based development.

Domain independence in groupware systems

We deal with general-purpose modelling systems. Several users typically interact for the

construction of a design or artefact. Shared space according to the whiteboard

metaphor. The design follows a specification of a goal

or task.

Domain independence in groupware systems

Problems: Materialization of the shared workspaces. Policies of floor control and turn taking. Other processes of communication and

coordination. Definitions of the domains.

Domain independence in groupware systems

Domain independence: The design to make is not restricted to a

specific domain. The system will be able to deal with

diverse scopes of design. Our approach avoids the problems of

having to re-design the system for each new domain.

Concepts of meta-modelling.

Domain independence in groupware systems

Related work: CoolModes, Synergo.

Meta-meta-models for domain-independent modelling groupware

We need to use meta-modelling techniques to define at different levels the elements on which we will work.

Use of ontologies to contextualize our definitions.

Our work

Our proposal begins with the definition of a series of ontologies. They will include the concepts that will

appear in our domain-independent systems.

From their instantiation, a set of meta-models will be obtained.

Our work

Three sub-ontologies: Domain sub-ontology.

Objects, variables and relationships. Also graphical aspects.

Modelling goal sub-ontology. Requirements and constraints.

Workspace sub-ontology. Tasks and tools.

Case study

Practical application of our proposal: the SPACE-DESIGN tool.

Case study

SPACE-DESIGN: Tool with support for distributed synchronous work. It allows users to carry out modelling tasks. It is domain-independent.

The system reads the domain specification from an XML file.

It uses concepts of component-based development.

Collaboration support tools are implemented as independent building blocks.

Case study

SPACE-DESIGN (cont.) It has been developed following the

concepts described in our meta-meta-modelling proposal.

But its development has not been carried out automatically processing the described meta-models Future work.

Case study

Three levels of specification: Meta-model applied to a specific domain.

It instatiates the meta-meta-model. Formal specification.

In XMI or in XML with a specific schema. Groupware tool that uses the specification.

It can be reconfigured so that it can adapt itself to a new domain.