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A Model Base for Software Engineering
Sholom Cohen
Software Engineering Institute
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890
Tel: (412) 268-2572 (voice) -5758 (fax)
Email: sgc@sei.cmu.edu
Abstract
This paper reports on the activities of the Application of Software Models (ASM) Project at
the Software Engineering Institute (SEI). The ASM project combines two previous efforts at the
SEI in domain and architecture modeling. Our p osition is that a core competance in software
modeling is essential for successful reuse. The ASM project is developing methods, training, and
an organizational pattern of operations for supporting the development of this core competance
within other organizations.
Keywords: Strategic planning, architecture, domain analysis/engineering
Workshop Goals: Learning; networking; understanding industry needs; explaining our posi-
tion
Working Groups: domain analysis/engineering; reuse process models
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense
Cohen- 1
1 Background
Sholom Cohen is a member of the technical staff of the Software Engineering Institute (SEI). Mr.
Cohen is currently project leader of SEI's Application of Software Mo dels pro ject. Thispro ject
combines both the Domain Analysis and Software Architecture Engineering projects. As project
leader, Mr. Cohen has co-authored two major technical reports on domain analysis methods and
an annotated bibliography of domain analysis. He is also the author of a study on the implications
of software reuse for the Ada 9X project. Besides domain analysis, Mr. Cohen's research activities
include the development of life cycle methods for software reuse, concentrating on designing for
reuse and on reuse-based implementation.
2 Position
For systematic software reuse, organizations must invest in evolving a core competence in software
modeling. This core competence involves modeling the commoncapabilities of software applica-
tions within a product family, and developing a generic design founded on a software/hardware
architectural model. As an organizationenriches its software assets with models, the process for
developing or evolving software applications will become more an engineering change activity of
mapping from needs to software solutions than a synthesis activity of building from scratch.
2.1 Application of Software Models Project
The Application of Software Models project is developing the technology, engineering process,
organization structure and transition planning involved in building and applying a core competence
in software modeling. The activities of this project are based on our experience in a number of key
supporting techiques:
ffldomain modeling
fflsoftware architecture
fflcomposition of systems via the application of models
ffldesign for and with reuse
The application of these techniques leads to the systematic creation and application of models which
form a codified technology base of engineering knowledge. Software engineers use this technology
base to support:
fflanalysis of customers' needs
fflsynthesis of solutions based on recognized commonalities or on variations from previous so-
lutions
fflreuse and reengineering of legacy software
Cohen- 2
This approach to modeling is a component of the Model-Based Software Engineering approach
being promoted by the project. The MBSE approach establishes a framework for relating several
types of models:
fflAbstract models give us basic modeling concepts. They address questions such as: What is a
domain model, what is an architecture, and what are the structures for reusable components?
fflConcrete models apply the abstract models by adding domain information. They include the
domain model of a particular class of applications, a generic design, a collection of components,
an application generator. For a specific domain, the concrete models constitute a domain-
specific software architecture, as has been defined by the DSSA program.
fflInstances are the applications built upon the concrete models.
The creation of abstract models is chiefly a research and development activity. The SEI has
produced abstract models such as those which form the Feature-Oriented Domain Analysis (FODA)
method, the Object Connection Update model, and the Object Connection Architecture mo del.
The project also uses abstract models created by other organizations such as the CAMP object
architecture. MBSE includes a process for creating concrete models: domain engineering, and a
process for using concrete models in the construction of applications: application engineering.
2.2 Project Activities
Through collaboration with sponsors, the project has used abstract models as a basis for creat-
ing concrete models through domain engineering and is applying these models in the creation of
applications. These sponsors include:
fflArmy Communications and Electronics Command (CECOM) - creation of a domain model
of Army movement control, a tactical decision aid supporting command andcontrol.
fflNational Institute of Standards and Technology - applying the FODA method for developing
a model of network management systems software.
fflJoint Modeling and Simulation System (JMASS) - applying OCU model for design of friendly
and threat models.
fflBallistic Missile Defense Office - using abstract models as a means of evaluating the BMDO
Information Architecture and its ability to support system defintion of Battle Management
Command Control and Communications (BM/C3) applications.
fflNavy - creating concrete models to support the development of weapon system trainers.
fflMICOM - creating concrete models to supp ort development of electro-optical fire control
systems. This work is b eing done with our Texas Instruments resident affiliate.
The project also seeks to work directly with industry to support their ability toestablish a core
competence in software modeling. We have severalcontacts in the early stages of transition.
Cohen- 3
2.3 Details of CECOM effort
Since 1989, the project has been working with CECOM to develop models for a domain-specific
software architecture. The domain of interest for this work has b een movement control, which is a
command and control tactical decision aid that deals with themovement of soldiers and materiel
on the battlefield. The work was initiated under Lt. Gen. Peter Kind and has continued under
the sponsorship of the Software Engineering Directorate withDennis Turner as our key point of
contact.
The project has created the following products for CECOM:
ffla domain modeling method called Feature-Oriented Domain Analysis (FODA)
ffla domain model of movement control using FODA models as the abstract mo deling concepts
ffla generic design that encompasses the domain of movement control using the Ob ject Con-
nection Architecture as the abstract model
ffla working prototype that illustrates the use of a domain specific software architecture for
creating an application
ffla technical report on using an abstract architecture model to map the domain model to a
generic design model (in-progress). Taken together, these models consitute a domain-specific
software architecture for movement control
The project is currently extending the DSSA for movement control to include a geographical in-
formation system, time-space deconflication, and simulation. The working prototype built from
the dssa will also be reengineered to operate on the Army common hardware/software using the
ATCCS reference architectureand common applications support software.
The project is also working with several groups building command and control systems that will
incorporate the movement control dssa. These include the Strategic-Theater Army Command and
Control System (STACCS) currently under development by CSC, Army Tactical Command and
Control System (ATCCS) under development at CECOM, and Department of Army Movement
Management System - Redesign (DAMMS-R) a product of the Army Combined Arms Support
Command.
3 Project Products
The project is currently developing a set of support services, training and do cumentation for orga-
nizations wishing to develop a softwaremo deling comp entence. We currently have in place:
fflan overview briefing describing the evolution to MBSE
fflan overview briefing on abstract and concrete models to support design
ffla multi-day tutorial/workshop on domain analysis
ffltechnical reports covering the FODA method, a sample domain model, tool support for do-
main analysis, evolving to MBSE (in-progress), and mapping the domain model to a generic
design (in-progress).
Cohen- 4
4 Biography
Prior to joining the staff of the SEI, Sholom Cohen was a member of the softwareengineering
technology branch of the McDonnell Douglas Astronautics Company. In that position, he was a
key developer of the Common Ada Missile Packages components and tools.
On a lighter note, Mr. Cohen is the author of a children'sb ook,Yitzy and the G.O.L.E.M. (HaChai
Publications, 1992), a book about a pre-teen computer hacker,and is currently working on a second
book in the same Yitz Berg from Pittsburgh series.
Mr. Cohen received his BS from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, an MA in Library and
Information Science from the University of Michigan, and an MS from Columbia University (New
York).
The SEI, located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is afederally funded research and development center
operated by Carnegie Mellon University under contract to the U.S. Department of Defense. The
objective of the SEI is to provide leadership in softwareengineering and in the tran sition of new
software engineering technology into practice.
Cohen- 5