Constraint checking in UML modeling

Abstract

Modeling aims to represent a system in a given formalism. As representations based on high level modeling languages can be interpreted in many ways, constraints are introduced to restrict the field of the possible. On the other hand, language semantics is defined using constraints as well. Within the context of the UML, a classification is proposed to clarify the nature of the constraints that must be fulfilled to ensure model correctness. Constraint violations are only warnings while others are serious. Depending on the kind and the context of the violation, help and advice can be supplied, and improvements may be conditionally done. In the UML, constraints are assertions described in a side-effect free language (OCL), while actions are not supplied. To extend capabilities, the constraints are translated into well-using modeling rules that form the knowledge base of an expert system in modeling. This modeling companion is briefly outlined.

A systematic review of UML model consistency management

“…For example, it does not allow us to fix any inconsistencies found since its constraints are side-effect free and cannot modify model elements. Other problems related to OCL, such as the fact that it is not easy to understand, are identified in [66].…”

Incremental checking of Master Data Management model based on contextual graphs

“…This may imply data dependencies and provide the possibility to specify evolutions causing inconsistencies of linked data models. Sourrouille and Caplat (2002) used the Sherlock inference engine (Bahl et al 2007) to manage UML model validation. Sherlock is composed of an inference engine and a set of Sherlock agents.…”

Critic Authoring Templates for Specifying Domain-Specific Visual Language Tool Critics

“…• OCL is not easy to understand and even harder to write [21] for many tool users and developers; • Users who lack of knowledge of OCL will have problems in specifying critics using OCL expressions; • Difficulty in expressing [21] meaningful critics through OCL expressions as it is hard to scale the OCL expressions for complex critics…”