Emanuel S. Grant

A Model-Based Approach for Testing GUI Using Hierarchical Predicate Transition Nets

Testing graphical user interface (GUI) has shown to be costly and difficult. Existing approaches for testing GUI are event-driven. In this paper, we propose a model based testing method to test the structural representation of GUIs specified in high class of Petri nets known as hierarchical predicate transitions nets (HPrTNs). In order to detect early design faults and fully benefit from HPrTNmodels, we have extended the original coverage criteria proposed for HPrTNs by event-based criteria defined for GUI testing

Quality-oriented software architecture

This paper proposes a method to select the software architecture for a family of systems that meets user requirements. The method is based on a set of universally accepted design principles and tactics that aims to establish a systematic correlation between the quality requirements of a system and an architectural style that best implements it. The proposed method can also be a valuable assistant to a novice software engineer in selecting an optimal architectural style because the selection of an appropriate architectural style plays an important role in success or failure of a system.

A method to test concurrent systems using architectural specification

Abstract In this paper, we discuss a testing method for integration testing of complex and concurrent systems. Integration testing is considered the least well understood and hence is the most problematic level of testing related to concurrent system development. This is so, because integration testing is not completely unit (or code) neither testing nor it is completely system testing. To achieve this goal of improving integration testing, our proposed method exploits architectural specification of concurrent and distributed systems defined in the high level Petri nets, known as Hierarchical Predicate Transition Nets (HPrTNs). More specifically, our testing method implements the separation of concerns strategy to handle both the essential complexity associated with the front-end software development of inherently concurrent and distributed systems, i.e. architectural specification, and the difficulty and cost associated with the back-end development of these systems, namely, software testing.

Model-based software engineering for an imaging CubeSat and its extrapolation to other missions

Small satellites with their limited computational capabilities require that software engineering techniques promote efficient use of spacecraft resources. A model-driven approach to software engineering is an excellent solution to this resource maximization challenge as it facilitates visualization of the key solution processes and data elements.

Big data architecture evolution: 2014 and beyond

This paper aims at developing the Big Data Architecture, and its relation with Analytics, Cloud Services as well as Business Intelligence. The chief aim from all mentioned is to enable the Enterprise Architecture and the Vision of an Organizational target to utilize all the data they are ingesting and regressing data for their short-term or long-terms analytical needs, while making sure that they are addressing during the design phase of such data architecture for both directly and indirectly related stakeholder. Since all stakeholders have their relative interests to utilize the transformed data-sets. This paper also identifies most of the Big Data Architecture, threat analysis within a Big Data System and Big Data Analytic Roadmaps, in terms of smaller components by conducting a gap-analysis that has significant importance as Baseline Big Data Architecture, targeting the end resultant Architectures, once the distillation process of main Big Data Architecture is completed by the Data Architects.

A formal approach to software architecture of agent-base systems

Agent-based systems have been known as one of the most complex classes of software system design because of heterogeneity, distributive, concurrent, non-deterministic, dynamic, and autonomous behaviors. An important characteristic of the design for any complex system is its software architecture, which can play an important role in the quality of software and, hence, in its success. Agent-based systems can be benefited from architectural design, which can be used as a plan to show agents, interactions, and their organizational relationships. In this paper, we represent a formal framework that can be used to specify the architecture of agent-based systems.

Toward Extending AADL-OSATE Toolset with Color Petri Nets (CPNs)

Architectural Analysis and Description Languages (AADLs), a model-based engineering notation, and its supporting toolset, Open Source Architectural Tool Environment (OSATE) are industry standard under the Society of Automotive Engineering (SAE). AADL-OSATE has shown significant promises in the development of highly sophisticated systems. As such, it has been adopted to specify and analyze real-time embedded systems used in the domain of safety critical systems. By using AADL-OSATE, designers are able to specify, analyze, and/or predicate the system-wide properties such as safety, performance, reliability, security, availability, etc. Examples of application systems developed in AADL-OSATE include avionics and aerospace, and manufacturing system. This main shortcoming of AADL-OSTATE is that it is difficult for analyzing the behaviors of components (processes/threads) in ways that deadlock and/or livelock can be detected. To this end, we are proposing to extent the capabilities of AADL-OSATE modeling notation and supporting tool set with Petri nets in a manner that facilitates formal analysis to verify the absence of deadlock and/or livelock phenomenon.

Use of SOA 3.0 in Strategic Information System Planning

This research paper puts light on the competitive advantage of IT for professional service industries using strategic information system planning (SISP) and the new paradigm in service oriented architecture SOA 3.0. A service provider can obtain competitive advantage from its competing businesses by offering its customers better value, by means of better benefits and services with affordable low cost solutions to its consumers. This advantage can be achieved by using strategic information system planning (SISP). A service provider has to go through a major change in its policies and procedure to provide end-user services by introducing the methodology of SOA 3.0. This is a complicated task and introduces a major change for all inter-organizational stakeholders. This change is initiated from planning for IS/IT internal and external users, based on a competitive business strategy to win the consumer’s trust. The discussion in this paper covers the utilization of information communication technology by airlines for competitive advantage. This paper also discusses the gap between research in academia and practices in the industry and, how to overcome this gap by embedding current research into the general practices of the industry.

Pedagogical Benefits from an Exercise in Reverse Engineering for an Aviation Software Systems.

Since the Y2K crisis, reverse engineering has become a major area of work in industrial software application development, but lacks emphasis in US academia. This issue is exemplified by the high demand for software systems in new and expanding software application areas, which has resulted in systems being implemented before the requirements and design phases have been completed. Towards the maintenance of such systems, it is necessary to conducted reverse engineering for the derivation of software documentation for requirements and high-level and low-level design. When this scenario exists in the domain of safety-critical system, particularly in the aviation industry, reverse engineering takes on greater value because such software systems have to undergo development regulations and certification restrictions. This work reports on the pedagogical revelations gained from conducting reverse engineering on a software system that was developed and deployed for use in managing the assignment of commercial aircrafts to airport terminal gates. The software system incorporated genetic algorithms solutions and was implemented on a high-speed multi-processor system. The reverse engineering methodology applied was based on the RTCA DO-178C Software Considerations in Airborne Systems and Equipment Certification specification for onboard avionic software systems.

Technology-driven software engineering curriculum development

A fundamental artifact of any academic research is the data used as the basis of that research effort. A group of researchers, from institutions in multiple territories, has embarked on an ambitious research project that is aimed at enhancing the teaching of software engineering in four-year undergraduate programs. The research project details a set of workshops, for which the objective is the capture of data that will be the basis of the research effort. The first of these workshops was held in August 2011. The workshop comprised software engineering educators and representatives from the information technology industry. The data collection task sought to identify a set of topics that are considered suitable for teaching software engineering, along with identification of the years and depth at which these topics should be taught. The topics are derived from the outcome goals of the course/program.