From Design to Code: An Educational Approach

Abstract

Abstract-Model Driven Engineering (MDE), despite having many advantages, is often overlooked by programmers due to lack of proper understanding and training in the matter. This paper investigates the advantages and disadvantages of MDE and looks at research results showing the adoption rates of design models. In light of the findings, an educational tool, namely Lorini, was developed to provide automated code generation from the design models. The implemented tool consists in a plug-in for the Astah framework aimed at teaching Java programming to students through UML diagrams. It features instantaneous code generation from three types of UML diagrams, code-diagram matching, a feedback panel for error displays and on-the-fly compilation and execution of the resulting program. Evaluation of the tool indicated it to be successful with unique educational features and intuitive to use.

A System Organic Architecture Based on Dynamic Functional Architecture Modeling

“…Nevertheless, a great difficulty for the architects is the adoption of a model based tooling. The tool comparison in [19] underlines this difficulty but only for code generation. In [20], the results show that EMF (Eclipse Modeling Framework) was Organic messages instantiating organic service reuse Organic messages instantiating access to a physical data…”

From Code to Design: A Reverse Engineering Approach

“…It enables software developers to obtain a much clear understanding of an existing piece of software that they are required to work with. The educational uses of the tool can provide consideration in the design and implementation process [2], [3]. Hence, the objective of the tool is to create a high level overview of the software architecture design, from an existing system, to encapsulate the design patterns used and the flow of control passing through the software [4].…”