Automated design of multi-layered web information systems

•Automatic generation of multi-layered models from annotated mockups.•A new MDE-based methodology and tool support for MDWE.•Allows the execution of planned iterations for short time-scales.•May be used by unexperienced designers and developers.•Feasible for adoption in start-up contexts. In the dev...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of systems and software 2016-07, Vol.117, p.612-637
Main Authors: Basso, Fábio Paulo, Pillat, Raquel Mainardi, Oliveira, Toacy Cavalcante, Roos-Frantz, Fabricia, Frantz, Rafael Z.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Automated design
Automation
Computer programs
Design engineering
Design techniques
Domain-specific language
Experience report
Information systems
Iterative methods
Mockup
Model-driven web engineering
Prototyping
Rapid application prototype
Software
Studies
Systems design
Tasks
Websites
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:•Automatic generation of multi-layered models from annotated mockups.•A new MDE-based methodology and tool support for MDWE.•Allows the execution of planned iterations for short time-scales.•May be used by unexperienced designers and developers.•Feasible for adoption in start-up contexts. In the development of web information systems, design tasks are commonly used in approaches for Model-Driven Web Engineering (MDWE) to represent models. To generate fully implemented prototypes, these models require a rich representation of the semantics for actions (e.g., database persistence operations). In the development of some use case scenarios for the multi-layered development of web information systems, these design tasks may consume weeks of work even for experienced designers. The literature pointed out that the impossibility for executing a software project with short iterations hampers the adoption of some approaches for design in some contexts, such as start-up companies. A possible solution to introduce design tasks in short iterations is the use of automated design techniques, which assist the production of models by means of transformation tasks and refinements. This paper details our methodology for MDWE, which is supported by automated design techniques strictly associated with use case patterns of type CRUD. The novelty relies on iterations that are possible for execution with short time-scales. This is a benefit from automated design techniques not observed in MDWE approaches based on manual design tasks. We also report on previous experiences and address open questions relevant for the theory and practice of MDWE.
ISSN:0164-1212
1873-1228
DOI:10.1016/j.jss.2016.04.060