Phillipe Desfray, SOFTEAM

Philippe Desfray, is an expert in object oriented methods, and VP for R&D for SOFTEAM, Objecteering Software's the parent company.

In 1990 he created an object oriented design method, has published three books (most notably "Object Engineering - The fourth dimension", published by ADDISON WESLEY in 1994), and directed the development of the Objecteering/UML Case tool. In 1994 he created "Hypergenericity", a technique closely related to UML profiles and supporting model transformation.

Since 1994 Philippe has represented SOFTEAM as a Contributing Member at the OMG, and actively participates in the definition of UML, in particular in the UML profiles area where he has been leading the definition of the profile mechanism for UML1.4 and UML 2.0.

Track:   Model Driven Architecture (MDA)

Abstract:

MDA is beginning to move from its inception phase to a growing usage in software application developments. One of the main problems that MDA is still facing is its metamodel/technology centric aspect that is unattractive to most potential users. The main users who can gain benefits from MDA are architects, Quality and method engineers, project managers, designers, and developers. These people are not metamodel experts prepared to dive into MOF2/UML2 technical complexities. It is therefore crucial to the success of MDA, that the targeted users can use it in a simple and accessible way.

In this presentation, we will present the most frequent MDA use cases, so that anyone who has a software development can know how to put it into practice in a very efficient and easy way. Examples of a growing complexity will be shown, and solutions starting with techniques that do not require any programming or metamodel knowledge ability will be presented. Defining a document template for a model based document generation or defining code generation mostly require knowledge of the target goal (knowing the rules for having well structured documentation, well programmed code, etc.). Surprisingly, defining new model consistency rules or automated diagram creation does not require any programming or specific metamodel knowledge either. Defining patterns that will be applied automatically can be realised through simple class diagram modelling. At this stage, 80% of the MDA modelling cases are covered. Concerning the remaining use cases, such as defining UML extensions and model transformation rules, a guided modelling approach will be presented. Once appropriate tools support this, MDA techniques become (just as compiling techniques) only the underlying technology used inside tools for end users' higher-level purposes.