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Behavior specification for ontologically grounded conceptual models

Wiegers, R.F.P. (2014) Behavior specification for ontologically grounded conceptual models.

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Abstract:Conceptual modeling of a domain of interest is an important step in the design of information systems. To facilitate such an approach, suitable modeling languages have been developed, among which is OntoUML, a philosophically well-founded conceptual modeling language based on UML. However, OntoUML can be used to describe the structure of a domain, but it has not been designed to support the description of behavior. This thesis discusses the development a language, named OBSL, for modeling behaviors of elements of a domain, complementary to a structural specification. OBSL is designed to be expressive enough to cover most common behaviors, but the focus is placed on ease of use. It describes behavior in terms of transitions between states. A graphical notation for OBSL is developed, according to a theory for diagram design aimed at cognitive effectiveness, resulting in diagrams that are intuitively appealing for modelers, and therefore relatively easy to under-stand. The semantics of OBSL is expressed in Alloy, a logic-based modeling language that has also been used to express the semantics of OntoUML. An OBSL specification combined with its OntoUML model can be translated to an Alloy specification, which can then be used to simulate examples of the specified behaviors.
Item Type:Essay (Master)
Faculty:EEMCS: Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science
Subject:54 computer science
Programme:Computer Science MSc (60300)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/66207
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