Metamodels for describing the structure interaction of layered software systems.

Abstract

This research identifies a current and future need in the realm of information systems development which has surfaced as a result of layered architectures and software reuse. An analysis methodology based upon two three-dimensional metamodels which correspond to the principal aspects of system architecture, structure and communication, is developed. Each metamodel can be viewed as having three planes which represent increasing abstractions away from actual source code. For example, with regard to the structure metamodel, the lowest plane corresponds to actual source code structures written in a specific computer language, the middle plane represents the general form of the structure available in that language, and the top plane represents the general form of structures available in any language. An object-oriented viewpoint was adopted in order to allow the expression of the relationships between entities found on a single plane of a metamodel, as well as the expression of the relationships between entities found on different planes. The metamodels provide a framework and methodology for discerning the structure and communication mechanisms employed in software source code as well as a framework from within which behavioral models can be developed.