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Transforming OntoUML into Alloy: towards conceptual model validation using a lightweight formal method

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Abstract

While conceptual modeling is strongly related to the final quality of the software product, conceptual modeling itself remains a challenging activity. In particular, modelers must ensure that conceptual models properly formalize their intended conceptualization of a domain. This paper proposes an approach to facilitate the validation process of conceptual models defined in OntoUML by transforming these models into specifications in the logic-based language Alloy and using its analyzer to generate instances of the model and assertion counter-examples. By allowing the observation of sequences of snapshots of model instances, the dynamics of object creation, classification, association and destruction are revealed. This confronts the modeler with the implications of modeling choices and allows them to uncover mistakes or gain confidence in the quality of conceptual models.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ontology and Conceptual Modeling Research Group (NEMO), Computer Science Department, Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES), Vitoria, ES, Brazil

    Bernardo F. B. Braga, João Paulo Andrade Almeida, Giancarlo Guizzardi & Alessander B. Benevides

Authors
  1. Bernardo F. B. Braga
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  2. João Paulo Andrade Almeida
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  3. Giancarlo Guizzardi
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  4. Alessander B. Benevides
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to João Paulo Andrade Almeida.

Additional information

This work has been supported by Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) and by Fundação de Apoio à Ciência e Tecnologia do Espírito Santo (FAPES) in the scope of the INFRA-MODELA project.

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Braga, B.F.B., Almeida, J.P.A., Guizzardi, G. et al. Transforming OntoUML into Alloy: towards conceptual model validation using a lightweight formal method. Innovations Syst Softw Eng 6, 55–63 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11334-009-0120-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11334-009-0120-5

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