Method to generate a controllable and adaptable network of models of behaviour templates

<i>A method for generating a regular and customizable network models , Established patterns of behavior, including software systems from elementary fundamental units using a computer system with at least one MOFkonformen repository.</i>

The invention relates to a method for generating a network<i>models of behavior patterns</i> and be optimizing in controlled and iterative steps<sl><li>especially for problem areas without deterministic solution process <i>and</i> For Methods models with open spaces of transition <i>using a MOF-compliant Repository on a computer system. Thus, the invention also relates to the</i>Generating software systems <i>from models,</i></li><li>in particular for any tax, regular or customizable sequences of operations and the adjustable Cooperation of methodological<i>models,</i> Agents or other software artifacts<i>produced according to the inventive process elements such as elemental Basic patterns, complex pattern, frameworks, flow units, encapsulated software components.</i></li></sl>

Software is a very complex structure that conceptually difficult to penetrate is. requires the mental implementation of user requirements in software stringently logical thinking, which is rarely seen. A high creative disposition is expected by the participants, but people with good ideas are thin sown. The programming in the large, building a system of parts, which interact appropriately must be mastered. Of the obstacles to make the effort and the difficulties Software, report many authors. The prior art methods and tools for software development leaves much to be desired. All of these findings can be found at: Ernst Denert, software engineering, Springer Verlag 1991, p.4 ff .; Barry W. Boehm, economic software production, Forkel-Verlag, Wiesbaden 1986 P.11 ff .; Grady Booch, Object-Oriented Analysis and Design, Addison-Wesley, 1. corrected reprint 1995; Bernd Oestereich, Object-Oriented Software Development with the Unified Modeling Language, Oldenbourg Verlag, 3rd revised edition, Munich 1997, page 60. Erich Gamma, Richard Helm, Ralph Johnson, John Vlissides; Design Patterns, Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented Software; Addison-Wesley Publishing, 1st corrected reprint 1997 Bonn, page 1-2; Pages 14-16. Frank Buschmann, Regine Meunier, Hans Rohnert, Peter Sommerlad, Michael Stal; Pattern-oriented software architecture, Addison Wesly Long Verlag, Bonn 1998, page 24; Helmut Balzert, Textbook of software technology, Spectrum Verlag 1996, 11ff., Its conceptual definition of software, Software engineering and software system is considered here, p. 36

In conventional preparation methods for information technology applications is determined by the programming language used to the perspective from the made the selection among the known architecture and design patterns becomes. This option specifies, among other things determine how high the level of resources for will be an implementation. The expected cost differences have the result that advantageous pattern not always successful at it for Points are used. facilitate all procedures and aids in the present state of the art or automate only discrete steps and parts of the path from requirements analysis to the implementation and testing of the finished software product and require either the analyst, the designer of the architecture or to implement software developers in substantial portions of their Work, trusting not tool based on their skill and ability, and manually, the existing gaps to close in the process chain. <i>There is currently no method or tool known the dengesamten production process from analysis through design to runtime monitoring continuous and consistent automated; and in which the final result is yet to change its runtime environment can adapt.</i><i>The publication DE 195 23 036 A1 describes the state of the art for continuous processing patterns the screen, form or database application of semi-finished blocks a source program in a traditional programming language 3rd Generation</i><i>and supplied hearing draft documentation generated. Furthermore, design support known commercial products that are similar to the generator according to DE 195 23 036 can generate source code in different programming languages ​​A1. These skills suitable for use by the method according to the invention. However, there is the Disadvantage that in both cases, the analysis and design process, as well as the test method must be fully completed by the operator.</i><i>Program generators according to the prior art according to document DE 689 23 126 T2 address the aforementioned deficiencies by several measures, in particular through a learning knowledge base, automated design analysis including simulation and automated verification as well as the automation of the testing procedure. As in DE 195 23 036 A1 also here is the synthesis process and thus the level of modeling on Programmiernineau.</i><i>Thereby, this system is limited to software production Both in DE 195 23 036 A1 as well as in DE 698 23 126 T2 are thus disclosed systems to the design time limited, particularly on the knowledge base in DE 698 23 126 T2 to Runtime no longer access, so that all the mentioned advantages of automatic adjustment by the "software checking means" (and in connection with the "failure mode Effect analysis means ") are available only during the design phase.</i><i>Methods and systems of the prior art set forth above are of programming oriented and not oriented modeling.</i><i>The inventive method allows for the modeling of behavioral patterns to automate and makes it beyond the realm of software addition, other behavioral embossed edit application areas to open up. Generated Software Results own abilities to change due to the current runtime environment and in accordance with adapt.</i>

Object of the invention is to provide a method with the advantageous any networks <i>models of behavior patterns, methods in different applications</i> at low Expenses and to build in a short time <i>and in the case of software production their behavior also can customize changed at runtime conditions.</i>This object is achieved inventive,<ul><li><i>by at the level of model</i> automated elements are created, from which any complex <i>inventive elementary basic units</i> be generated, <i>turn elements in other may be aggregations. In the novel process elements generated are</i> particular patterns, frameworks, software and other Model systems, <i>the other in general as "elements" are called,</i></li><li>by all <i>Members with skills inventive, ie interpreted on their model and the modeling technique contained therein and manipulated,</i> described by a four-layer Metamodeling such be that any Aggregrationsmechanismen the inventive may be the method used.</li></ul>Although the inventive method is mainly engaged in information technology described terms, mainly because the description mechanisms used come from this area, but it is used in all disciplines at described which complex behavior using models examined be or dominated.

The method according to the invention extends the prior art by first Summary and its novel use of the prior art and extended in addition it in the following areas:<sl><li>1. Create a description structure for professional voice and perspectives in the department or in the system modeling ordered, and dynamic via a procedure specific four-layer metamodel and storing the meta in repositories, <i>special databases in the inventive process the active processing of all Metaschichten in the runtimes manipulable manage.</i></li><li>2. Model-based architecture design, orderly and dynamic via the modeling knowledge the meta-structures in the repository.</li><li>3. integration of intelligent software agents to a network <i>from Behavioral patterns of methods-models,</i> organized and dynamic via the Modeling knowledge of the meta-structures in the repository.</li><li>4. Automated Generating of <i>self-adjusting</i> Application frameworks<i>including polymorphic agents</i> due to the inventive method points 1 to 3rd</li></sl>

<b>To 1.    </b> The introduced prior art will be discussed present-oriented and the projecting parts shown. In application areas where are Softwaresyteme used, the working conditions of users are using Help substantive technical languages ​​organized. In addition to a semantic structure of words (Eg and, all is) is in a unique semantics of materials Languages Theme words (eg marketing budget, order, creditworthy) when Systementwurfvon equal importance. With the use of materials Languages ​​in the Information System Development is a terminological control of all stages of system development from a Lexicon out achievable. Terms (themes words) are not by any Vote, but by systematic reconstruction with the term users brought in the application areas for advantage. The verification (And validation) is anchored methologisch dimensional, syntactically (Shape), semantic (content) and pragmatic (validity and relevance of actions). Reference: Ortner, Erich, methods Plain Fachentwurf- Teubner Stuttgart-Leipzig 1997th Models and systems are abstract concepts, they are created by an interpretation the reality. Through them we gain a picture of a section of reality, the domain of discourse, which then serves as a system and through education establish and test hypotheses of models can or knowledge of the System makes derivable and accordingly usable. Prerequisite is that a system is a model of another system, the Existence of a mapping relationship between the two systems. In business administration and in the area of ​​computer-aided software development the term 'model' not in the sense of a unique relationship used between two systems, but expresses an objective for should apply the relationship between two systems, but is hardly attainable. at this model concept is the appropriate imaging systems by other Systems in the foreground: The criterion for the quality of a model is the through its application achievable benefit. designing for an object system I a model system at a given MI Purpose Z and there is a model M II of the model system MI, as referred to M II as meta with respect to the object system I. Meta-models are useful to define the structures of models. One purpose of meta-models is a convenient structure for storing, presentation and management and to specify the behavior of models. With Metamodels are unique mapping relationships between the elements the model system and the Metamodellsystems that consistent and complete are achieved. Meta-data provides information about other data.

An advantageous infrastructure is the description example of models and concepts in a division with four tiers to create coherence in To make the description of complex structures. Nestled in the neck Metamodeling obtained with the inventive solution a of description for a model, in other words, a model modeling elements. The four-layer model to describe complex structures is part the inventive solution. It is particularly the simultaneous availability all modeling layers and the methods proper manipulation of model parts a layer based on modeling knowledge of a higher layer by polymorphic agents according to the invention is a novel use of Metamodeling. Analysis, design and build tools use different chart types, to the various aspects of an application and the associated display information system. The required connection definition makes a formal metamodel. A strict definition of the notation by a meta model is advantageous because ambiguities in the notation ambiguities in the corresponding models wear, which are difficult to eliminate. A metamodel provides a good basis for Konsistenzprüfüngen and is a necessary basis for repositories.

It is necessary to the inventive process in its complexity adequately to describe and the foundation to ensure technically skilled enough, the construction and to ensure the use. The language must be selected Description be able to represent all aspects of the inventive method consistently. The Unified Modelling Language (UML) as of version 1.1, along with the Meta Object Facility (MOF), a four-layer metamodel structure: user objects, model, metamodel and meta-metamodel, meets this requirement. The Unified Modelling Language (UML) and the Meta Object Facility (MOF) are by the Object Management Group (OMG) since Nov. 1997 recognized Default. It is widely used, data resources, based on the 3-scheme architecture ANSI / SPARC (American National Standards Institute / Standard Planning and Requirement committee) to describe and manage. Here are the Schema areas Externe-, Internal schemas and conceptual schema metadata, describe the statements about the data resources. The Conceptual Scheme determines all schemes common semantics (terms) of the data.

To achieve the inventive object, the information in support procedures particularly advantageous in a repository, a system for Management of all metadata, based on a four-layer metamodel architecture managed, ie use cases, classes, modules, data, functions, application systems, Hardware and communication and organizational units and methods models.

The repository is a Information Resource Dictionary (IRD) in the sense of the ISO standard and used belongs to the prior art. The basic idea of ​​the first layer is the control and documentation of the services to ensure on the second level. Description metatypes for relationships, Attributes, methods etc. In the second layer are class types, entity types and relationship types defined as patterns, frameworks (frameworks), value ranges, etc. The third layer is responsible for concrete artifacts of the services the second level for specific patterns, etc. were created. The fourth layer is not part of the IRD standards and is concretely from generated methods network defined. Another special feature of the inventive Method, the active cultivation Metaschichten is the basis of available modeled procedures particularly in that the meta information all classes managed to manipulate the runtimes will. The inventive method provides description by case specific ie static or dynamically instatiierte search agents for automated extraction of respectively required information on all the layers and by case-specific static or dynamically instatiierte evaluating agents for automated recovery and qualifications from all backgrounds.

<b>To the second    </b> The introduced prior art will be discussed present-oriented and the projecting parts shown. Problem areas are mean planned actions analyzed and in the means of information technology Applications ready to perform the tasks within the imaged areas of concern to do or support. This methodology promotes for constantly recurring part problems in the design and improvement of patterns as a basic element, the core of solutions for each problem illustrate such a way so that these solutions as wiederanwendbare core elements be whole problem areas used.

Resistant recurring problems named above pattern, abstracts and their relevant aspects in a general structure described identifiable are, can exposed in many problem areas, through systematic approach are, for example, in architecture, in economics, in telecommunications, in network management, in physics and biology to just to name a few. This methodological approach is in resolving the inventive task Implementation of patterns as a fundamental element for the modeling of complex Situations, in particular of technical software applications, as a Block of frameworks, realized. Patterns describe general solutions of partial problems within a model structure. Essentially they then appear as the ordering to confusion. The framework approach is an order for a general approach especially created at the model level, by a sensible separation followed in cooperating subtasks or aggregation is supported by solution components to a sorted kooperienden whole. Subtasks are, for example:<sl><li>the addition of new tasks,</li><li>adaptability to evolving technologists,</li><li>Changes in functional requirements, such as the Einbindbarkeit of Problem areas where no known deterministic solution strategies are offering only a partial solution or an approximate solution and the beneficial Einbindbarkeit specialized subsystems.</li></sl>With the process of the invention by the pattern-oriented reduced batch-related redundancies and case-related optimized.

<b>To 3.    </b> The introduced prior art will be discussed present-oriented and the projecting parts shown. The above-mentioned aspects such as, Object, pattern, intelligence and interaction, can also be found as the characteristic Properties in the descriptions of intelligent software agents, said can go equipped with intelligence to the qualifications, functions in parts autonomously perform and interact with the environment in a meaningful way. Agent models are methodically to the object-oriented models. The Objects, the agent, consist of attributes and methods to communicate another via method calls or sending messages and use object-oriented concepts such as inheritance as the dynamic Participation to the properties of other objects by delegation, encapsulation, Aggregation and active objects. The type of communication extends in addition to news about aims and objectives and the transmission of Knowledge. The agent model represents an expanded order behavior and intentions Basic model of object-oriented methods. Unlike the classical input-processing-output principle has a Agent intelligent processing mechanisms have, by means of which a Agent can fulfill its essential characteristics. The description of the work processes within an agent provides clues for the implementation of specific task-oriented agent modules.

Not all actions of an agent arise in response to perceived Environmental situations. An agent can also act proactively, for example, if information at present certain temporal and / or geographical constraints be interrogated. An imaging network that the example of relevant investigative areas using<i>invention</i> network <i>Methods of models</i> is thrown enables situational activation of communication affected Department / Methods Agent to the balance of different imaging results (Eg relevant business management issues in enterprises) cause, and then if necessary through a moderation agents among others output information to get to the planning design of business policies. The agents of the inventive process are geared to all levels of inventive Metamodeling so that their behavior all aspects of Metastrukturen can use. This behavior of polymorphic agents according to the invention allows case-related to recognize specializations to build and to run, <i>why for will these agents, the term "polymorphic Agent" introduced and used as the Ability to adapt and self-adaptation to make it clear.</i>

<b>To 4th    </b> The automated generation of application frameworks from Models does not match the state of the art and will therefore continue discussed. <i>Reference is made to the previous discussion of the documents DE 165 23 036 A1 and DE 689 23 126 T2 pointed.</i> The specific steps are preparatory to the Generierierungsprozeß is by ordered and dynamically from process-specific repositories with her four-layer metamodel a market with generator tools generierfähiges model is created, can the claims to appropriate be taken from individual steps.

The inventive method is advantageous support the use given patterns, in which on the one hand demand equitable pattern found or be constructed, the implementation of elementary patterns for a network <i>Methods of models</i> will support and automate be adapted to the required environment, and the production of information-technology Applications of elementary patterns according to the scheme of network <i>Methods of models</i> is automated.

With methods here are all analyzable for a scheduled procedure meant methods information technology mappable. Patterns are proven Solutions of general design problems. The network<i>Methods of models</i>is a framework and defines an architecture for a family of applications and provides the basic building blocks for creating (instantiation) a working application ready.

Mustergestützer Entwurfvon frameworks as quasi standardized technique, but only in manual and expertly mental form part of the industrial Software Engineering. The inventive method provides a novel here Support ready interconnected with the largely automated pattern and complex <i>elements of the invention</i> constructed for solutions can be. Patterns are a powerful means of expression treatment and presentation of analysis, architecture and design results and Representation of the quality of software production. The above-described process of the invention is also for a professional readily to other areas of expertise transferable, in which the technical processes and relationships are model moderate writable. In particular business (organizational models, planning models, etc.), Economics (Geldflußmodelle, simulation models), biology (population models, Genetic simulations), physics, architecture and engineering. Reference: C. Alexander, S. Ishikawa, M. Silverstein with M. Jacobson, I. Fiksdahl-King, S. Angel: A Pattern Language - Towns Buildings-Construction, Oxford University Press., 1977