Abstract
The paper describes the different phases and subdomains of process modelling and their needs for conceptual and linguistic support, and in what forms. We group the relevant factors into three dimensions: meta-process phases, process elements, and the tool/user views. In the first dimension, we focus on enactable process models. For such models, we describe the design alternatives for a core process modelling language and a set of tailored sub-languages to cover special process elements. However, no detailed and functional comparison of possible modelling language are attempted.
Then we address interoperability between related sub-models and its implication to the language design. We also present a general architecture for a Process-Centered Software Engineering Environment, with a segmented repository of model servers.
Some concrete language realisations, mainly from the EPOS PSEE, are used throughout the presentation. We also give a realistic example of the design of an interoperable PSEE, and discuss how it can be improved using an extended EPOS.
The paper concludes that we have to live with many sub-languages around a core process modelling language. However, the underlying linguistic paradigm in this core language is not judged critical. What counts is use of standard support technologies, interoperability to handle heterogeneous and distributed process information, non-intrusive process support, end-user comprehension, and flexible support for evolution (metaprocess).
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
P. Armenise, S. Bandinelli, C. Ghezzi, and A. Morzenti. Software Process Representation Languages: Survey and Assessment. In Proc. 4th IEEE International Conference on Software Engineering and Knowledge Engineering, Capri, Italy, June 17–19. 31 pages, June 1992.
Vincenzo Ambriola, Reidar Conradi, and Alfonso Fuggetta. Experiences and Issues in Building and Using Process-centered Software Engineering Environments, December 1994. Internal draft paper V3.0, Univ. Pisa / NTH in Trondheim / Politecnico di Milano, 28 p.
Sergio Bandinelli, Marco Braga, Alfonso Fuggetta, and Luigi Lavazza. The Architecture of the SPADE Process-Centered SEE. In [War94], pages 15–30, 1994.
Noureddine Belkhatir, Jacky Estublier, and Walcelio Melo. Software Process Model and Work Space Control in the Adele System. In [Ost93], pages 2–11, 1993.
Sergio Bandinelli, Alfonso Fuggetta, and Carlo Ghezzi. Software Process Model Evolution in the SPADE Environment. IEEE Trans. on Software Engineering, pages 1128–1144, December 1993. (special issue on Process Model Evolution).
Gerard Boudier, Ferdinando Gallo, Regis Minot, and Ian Thomas. An Overview of PCTE and PCTE+. In Proc. of the ACM SIGSOFT/SIGPLAN Software Engineering Symposium on Practical Software Development Environments, Boston, Massachusetts, November 28-30, pages 248–257, 1988.
Naser S. Barghouti and Gail E. Kaiser. Scaling Up Rule-Based Development Environments. International Journal on Software Engineering and Knowledge Engineering, World Scientific, 2(1):59–78, March 1992.
[C+94] Reidar Conradi et al. EPOS: Object-Oriented and Cooperative Process Modelling. In [FKN94], pages 33–70, 1994. Also as EPOS TR 198, NTH, 31 Oct. 1993, Trondheim.
Rick G. G. Catell. Object Data Management: Object-Oriented and Extended Relational Database Systems. Addison-Wesley, 1994.
Reidar Conradi, Christer Fernström, and Alfonso Fuggetta. Concepts for Evolving Software Processes. In [FKN94], pages 9–32, 1994. Also as EPOS TR 187, NTH, 9 Nov. 1992, 26 p., Trondheim.
Reidar Conradi, Christer Fernström, Alfonso Fuggetta, and Robert Snowdon. Towards a Reference Framework for Process Concepts. In [Der92], pages 3–17, 1992.
Reidar Conradi, Marianne Hagaseth, and Chunnian Liu. Planning Support for Cooperating Transactions in EPOS. In Proc. CAISE'94, Utrecht, pages 2–13, June 1994.
Reidar Conradi, Chunnian Liu, and M. Letizia Jaccheri. Process Modeling Paradigms. In Proc. 7th International Software Process Workshop — ISPW'7, Yountville (Napa Valley), CA, USA, 16–18 Oct. 1991, IEEE-CS Press, pages 51–53, 1991.
Jean-Claude Derniame, editor. Proc. Second European Workshop on Software Process Technology (EWSPT'92), Trondheim, Norway. 253 p. Springer Verlag LNCS 635, September 1992.
ECMA. A Reference Model for Frameworks of Computer Assisted Software Engineering Environments. Technical report, European Computer Manufactoring Association, 1991. ECMA/TC33 Technical Report, Nov. 1991, Draft Version 1.5.
Christer Fernström. Process WEAVER: Adding Process Support to UNIX. In [Ost93], pages 12–26, 1993.
Alfonso Fuggetta and Carlo Ghezzi. State of the Art and Open Issues in Process-Centered Software Engineering Environments. Journal of Systems and Software, 26(1):53–60, July 1994.
Peter H. Feiler and Watts S. Humphrey. Software Process Development and Enactment: Concepts and Definitions. In [Ost93], pages 28–40, 1993.
Anthony Finkelstein, Jeff Kramer, and Bashar A. Nuseibeh, editors. Software Process Modelling and Technology. Advanced Software Development Series, Research Studies Press/John Wiley & Sons, 1994. ISBN 0-86380-169-2, 362 p.
J. D. Foley. Managing the Design of User Computer Interface. Computer Graphics World, pages 47–56, December 1983.
Volker Gruhn and Rüdiger Jegelka. An Evaluation of FUNSOFT Nets. In [Der92], pages 196–214, 1992.
Adele Goldberg and Dave Robson. Smalltalk-80: The Language and its Implementation. Addison-Wesley, 1983. 714 p.
Geir Magne Høydalsvik. Programmering Prosjektarbeid, Forslag til Prosjektoppgave. (In Norwegian, Working note for PhD thesis), August 1994.
IEEE-Software. Special Issue on Measurement-based Process Improvement. IEEE-Software, July 1994.
M. Letizia Jaccheri and Reidar Conradi. Techniques for Process Model Evolution in EPOS. IEEE Trans. on Software Engineering, pages 1145–1156, December 1993. (special issue on Process Model Evolution).
[L+89] Anund Lie et al. Change Oriented Versioning in a Software Engineering Database. In Walter F. Tichy (Ed.): Proc. 2nd International Workshop on Software Configuration Management, Princeton, USA, 25–27 Oct. 1989, 178p. In ACM SIGSOFT Software Engineering Notes, 14 (7), pages 56–65, November 1989.
David B. Leblang. The CM Challenge: Configuration Management that Works. In In [Tic94], chapter 1, pages 1–37. John Wiley, 1994.
Jacques Lonchamp. A Structured Conceptual and Terminological Framework for Software Process Engineering. In [Ost93], pages 41–53, 1993.
Odd Ivar Lindland, Guttorm Sindre, and Arne Sølvberg. Understanding Quality in Conceptual Modelling. IEEE Software, pages 42–49, March 1994.
Bjørn P. Munch. Versioning in a Software Engineering Database — the Change Oriented Way. PhD thesis, DCST, NTH, Trondheim, Norway, August 1993. 265 p. (PhD thesis NTH 1993:78).
Brad A. Myers. User-Interface Tools: Introduction arid Survey. IEEE Software, 6(1):15–23, January 1989.
Bashar Nuseibeh, Jeff Kramer, and Anthony Finkelstein. Expressing the Relationship between Multiple Views in Requirements Specification. In Proc. 15th Int'l Conference on Software Engineering, Baltimore, MA, May 1993.
Object Management Group, 492 Old Connecticut Path, Framingham, MA 01701, USA. OMG CORBA Common Object Request Broker Architecture — Specification, January 1992.
Leon Osterweil, editor. Proc. 2nd Int'l Conference on Software Process (ICSP'2), Berlin. 170 p. IEEE-CS Press, March 1993.
Ian Robertson. An Implementation of the ISPW-6 Process Example. In [War94], pages 187–206, 1994.
H. G. Sol and R. L. Crosslin, editors. Dynamic Modelling of Information Systems 2. North-Holland, 1992.
Walter F. Tichy, editor. Configuration Management. (Trends in software). John Wiley, 1994. ISBN 0-471-94245-6.
Kees M. van Hee and P. A. C. Verkoulen. Data, Process and Behaviour Modelling in an Integrated Specification Framework. In [SC92], pages 191–218, 1992.
Brian Warboys, editor. Proc. Third European Workshop on Software Process Technology (EWSPT'94), Villard-de-Lans, France. 274 p. Springer Verlag LNCS 772, February 1994.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1995 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this paper
Cite this paper
Conradi, R., Liu, C. (1995). Process modelling languages: One or many?. In: Schäfer, W. (eds) Software Process Technology. EWSPT 1995. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 913. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-59205-9_47
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-59205-9_47
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-540-59205-1
Online ISBN: 978-3-540-49224-5
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive