Kerstin Altmanninger

A survey on model versioning approaches

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a feature‐based characterization of version control systems (VCSs), providing an overview about the state‐of‐the‐art of versioning systems dedicated to modeling artifacts.Design/methodology/approach – Based on a literature study of existing approaches, a description of the features of versioning systems is established. Special focus is set on three‐way merging which is an integral component of optimistic versioning. This characterization is employed on current model versioning systems, which allows the derivation of challenges in this research area.Findings – The results of the evaluation show that several challenges need to be addressed in future developments of VCSs and merging tools in order to allow the parallel development of model artifacts.Practical implications – Making model‐driven engineering (MDE) a success requires supporting the parallel development of model artifacts as is done nowadays for text‐based artifacts. Therefore, model versioning ca...

Think global, act local: implementing model management with domain-specific integration languages

In recent years a number of model transformation languages have emerged that deal with fine-grained, local transformation specifications, commonly known as programming in the small [13]. To be able to develop complex transformation systems in a scalable way, mechanisms to work directly on the global model level are desirable, referred to as programming in the large [26]. In this paper we show how domain specific model integration languages can be defined, and how they can be composed in order to achieve complex model management tasks. Thereby, we base our approach on the definition of declarative model integration languages, of which implementing transformations are derived. We give a categorization of these transformations and rely on an object-oriented mechanism to realize complex model management tasks.

Accessible Graphics in Web Applications: Dynamic Generation, Analysis and Verification

Accessibility for graphics in web applications is still not only a shortcoming for visually impaired people but may also be a request of people with other special needs. In the Access2Graphicsproject SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) is used to dynamically generate graphics that are adapted to the users individual requirements in order to make them accessible for each user. Beside the users also the graphics designer (provider) need support to be able to offer accessible graphics. The focus of this paper therefore mainly is on introducing the analysis as well as the verification component of Access2Graphics. Both, reuse of existing graphics and verification with respect to defined guidelines should make the generation process of graphics more efficient regarding the development time and quality.

Issues and challenges in model versioning

For almost four decades, Version Control Systems (VCSs) are an indispensable part of the infrastructure necessary for an effective software development process. VCSs mainly target three different aims. First, they enable users to keep historical versions of their files and directories under development and to retrieve past versions. Therefore, they store version information for every file in a collection, so-called repository. Second, VCSs support mainly asynchronous collaboration between users, and third, they manage different development branches (e.g., different releases of a software product). Hence, merging techniques for parallel-evolved versions or branches are indispensable for VCSs. The objectives of this tutorial are first to give a comprehensive overview of collaboration features of VCSs for software engineering artifacts in general, with a focus on three-way merging. Second, to discuss the state-of-the-art of systems for model artifacts, and finally, to list urgent challenges, which have to be considered in future model versioning systems for realizing model-driven engineering in practice.

Innovations in modeling web applications

As the complexity of web applications grows and new requirements are imposed, the investigations on model-driven web application development increase. Modeling techniques can be utilized in many aspects for modeling web applications. For example, to model the structure, presentation, or behavior of a web application. However, two main directions in web application modeling can be identified. Firstly, there are technical approaches that facilitate the modeling of all aspects of a web application (e.g., WebRatio). Secondly, there are technical approaches that have evolved from frameworks using the Domain-Driven Design paradigm (e.g., TYPO3 Extension Builder). The latter, opposed, are mainly used to model a smaller domain of a website. In this talk, I will give an insight on new ideas and best practices of existing modeling approaches utilized for website deployment.

Scalable vector graphics pattern p2p-service for enhanced barrier-free web applications

Most graphics used in web pages are very attractive for the eye and useful for a lot of people. However, with the extensive use of pixel graphics such as charts without additional textual description or image maps, handicapped users of web pages are encountering an ever increasing amount of barriers. Therefore, it is essential that future development on web content focuses on accommodating all kinds of disabilities. The use of Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) provides new possibilities as well as new challenges for the accessibility of web sites. Consequently, the Access2Graphics implementation is embedded in a peer-to-peer (P2P) network with reusable SVG patterns for enhanced barrier-free web applications. The aim of the new architecture is to support graphic designers and web developers in making graphics accessible for as many user groups as possible.