Rigorous Modeling and Analysis with the UML: Challenges and Limitations
22 Oct 1999 to 22 Oct 1999
The UML is a standard object notation that is targeted at large complex systems. The high quality experiences embedded in the UML certainly makes its application to complex systems desirable, but the lack of precise semantics can limit its effectiveness. The modeling of complex systems (i.e., systems with a variety of interrelated features, data structures, and critical operational features) requires the use of modeling techniques that provide complexity management mechanisms and that allow for the early detection of errors in requirements and designs. The separation of view principle has proven to be an effective means of controlling complexity, and is well-supported by the UML. On the other hand, the formality and rigor principle that facilitates the detection of errors in requirements and designs is not well-supported in the UML.
It is well-known that requirements and design errors are more costly to fix if they are uncovered during the coding and code analysis activities. Requirements and design modeling notations that enable rigorous analysis (e.g., testing, prototyping/simulation/animation, verification of OO models) can help reduce this cost by allowing developers to detect errors earlier in the development lifecycle. Developing a precise semantics for UML notations that enables practical, tool-supported rigorous analysis of UML models can enhance its applicability to the modeling of complex systems. Development of a precise, complete, and understandable semantics for the UML notations can also lead to better utilization of UML modeling notations. A formal analysis of the semantic foundations of the UML notations can lead to more precise and complete natural language descriptions of the notations in the UML standard. The insights provided by a well-formulated description of the UML semantics can help modelers choose appropriately among a variety of modeling constructs.
Developing a rigorous foundation for the UML requires consideration of the role that the UML can play in facilitating software engineering. For example, the development of software models from architectures, patterns, and other forms of reusable experiences is highly desirable, and should be supported by the rigorous foundation.
The purpose of the workshop is to bring together researchers and practitioners from academia and industry to report on their experiences with developing UML-based rigorous development techniques and their foundations. Presentations and discussions will focus on identifying the challenges, recognizing limitations, and analyzing proposed approaches to using UML in a rigorous manner. Particular attention will be paid to work on improving the OCL to enhance its ability to support rigorous reasoning, incorporation of semantic information into meta-models, development of UML-based rigorous analysis techniques, and on works that use the UML to rigorously define and reason about software architectures.
