Models allow us to describe complex systems at different abstract and conceptual levels, hence amplify our analytical and problem solving capabilities. However, a lot of human effort and experience is needed to build correct models, and to translate them to concrete artifacts; in our case a usable user interface. This paper introduces the concept of task and pattern models to leverage the process of task modeling, and show how it can help build generic task models, link them, and instantiate them more readily. Once seen as patterns, we will demonstrate that task models can be disseminated and reused more easily by representing them as predefined types.
Formalization is a necessary precondition for the specification of precise and unambiguous use case models, which serve as reference points for the design and implementation of software systems. In this paper, we define a formal semantics for use case models. We build on an abstract syntax definition formalizing the sequencing of use case steps. As a semantic domain we have chosen Labeled Transition Systems (LTSs), which, we believe, intuitively capture the behavioral aspects of the use case model. The mapping into LTSs is defined over the various structural elements of the use case model. The proposed formal semantics allows for various semantic checks such as detection of livelocks and validation of model refinement, an important property in an iterative software development lifecycle. We also introduce our tool "Use Case Model Analyzer".
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