0000000000470539
AUTHOR
Birger Møller-pedersen
Models, systems, and descriptions - A cross-disciplinary reflection on models
There are many different notions of models in different areas of science that are often not aligned, making it difficult to discuss them across disciplines. In this study, we look at the differences between physical models and mental models as well as the difference between static and dynamic models. Semiotics provides a philosophical underpinning by explaining meaning-making. This allows for identifying a common ground between models in different areas. We use examples from natural sciences and linguistics to illustrate different approaches and concepts and to find commonalities. This study distinguishes between systems, models, and descriptions of models. This distinction allows us to und…
Modelling and Testing of Real Systems
Modelling and Programming are often used together in system development. However, typically there is a large conceptual gap between modelling and programming. This leads to problems in unified handling and the transition between the two. This way, extra work is required when combining modelling and programming. This paper develops a common understanding that can unify modelling and programming in system development.
Modelling of Systems for Real
Modelling and Programming are often used together in system development. However, typically there is a large difference between the handling of modelling parts and the handling of programming parts. This leads to the fact that the transition between the two is not easy, and important information is lost as well as extra information has to be provided when combining modelling and programming. This paper shows how modelling and programming could work together in system development.
Real Models are Really on M0 - Or How to Make Programmers Use Modeling
This paper discusses the term ’model’ and the role of the level M0 in the four-layer metamodeling architecture of MOF/OMG. It illustrates the failures of the OMG MOF standard and how a model is an abstraction, not a description. We apply two simple approaches: (1) observing the use of models (of real or planned systems) in system development, including prototyping, simulations, and models in general, and (2) comparing modeling with programming. These approaches lead to the conclusion that models should be placed on M0, while UML models are model descriptions. This conclusion leads to a better understanding of InstanceSpecification for description of snapshots, and of metamodeling applied to…
Models Versus Model Descriptions
In the development of computer-based systems, modelling is often advocated in addition to programming, in that it helps in reflecting the application domain and that it makes the design and experiment activities of development more efficient. However, there is disagreement about what models are and how they can be used in software systems development. In this paper, we present the Scandinavian approach to modelling, which makes a clear distinction between models and model descriptions. This paper explains the connections between models, descriptions, systems, and executions. Combining the Scandinavian approach with the Kiel notion of model, we establish that both descriptions and executions…
Object-Oriented Operational Semantics
Operational semantics is one way of providing meaning to an executable language. On a high level of abstraction, operational semantics means to define an interpreter or an abstract machine for the language. In this article, we review the concept of operational semantics in the scope of meta-model-based language definitions and identify challenges and issues. We provide a clean conceptual approach using an object-oriented runtime environment and state change operations, which relies on an underlying abstract virtual machine. We present the approach using a sample language.
On abstraction in the OMG hierarchy: systems, models, and descriptions
The Model-Driven Architecture (MDA) uses a metadata hierarchy with several layers that are placed on top of each other. The traditional view is that the layers provide abstractions related to models in languages defined by meta-models. Over the years, it has been difficult to define a consistent understanding of the layers. In this paper, we propose such a consistent understanding by clarifying the relations between the different elements in the hierarchy. This is done based on the Scandinavian approach to modelling that distinguishes between systems and system descriptions. Systems can be physical, digital, or even mental, while descriptions can be programs, language descriptions, specific…