NDT-Suite: A Model-Based Suite for the Application of NDT

Abstract

Abstract. In general, a methodology needs to be empowered by appropriate tool support. Despite MDE paradigm does not result friendly enough in enterprise environments, particularly, the application of transformations among models may become complex, monotonous and very expensive if there are no software tools automating the process. In this context, this research paper presents NDT-Suite. Nowadays, NDT-Suite is composed by a wide set of free Java tools which gives support to enterprises that are using NDT (Navigational Development Techniques) methodology in their projects. All of them support different aspects in NDT usage: quality assurance, exit generation or code checking, among others. These seeds set the environment for NDT usage for both research and practical use.Keywords: Model-Driven Web Engineering, Model-Based Suite, Tools, Practical Experiences, NDT. IntroductionThe Model Driven Engineering paradigm (MDE) in general, and the Model-Driven Web Engineering (MDWE) in particular, came up in order to tackle the complexity of platforms and the inability of third generation languages to relief this complexity. This new paradigm intends to increase automation during the life cycle of software development and works, as primary form of expression, with definitions of models and transformation rules among these models by entailing the production of other models. In addition, if suitable tools are defined, this process could even be automatic. However, MDWE is not easy to be applied in enterprise environments since it does not result too friendly for development teams. Concepts such as models, metamodels, transformations or QVT, among others, are not common notations in the enterprise environment and they seem too abstract and complex.For this reason, this research paper presents how NDT [1] (Navigational Development Techniques) addresses this challenge with the aim of involving the enterprise with the power of MDE. NDT is a methodological proposal included within MDE that provides support to all phases of software life cycle: feasibility study,

ALAMEDA Ecosystem: Centering Efforts in Software Testing Development

“…In this sense, NDT defines a set of supporting tools grouped in NDT-Suite [26]. The main tools in NDT-Suite are: (i) NDT-Profile, which defines UML profiles for each NDT metamodel; (ii) NDT-Quality [27], which measures the quality of use of NDT and checks semantic constraints of NDT; and (iii) NDT-driver [28], which allows running each QVT transformations between models in an automatic manner (for instance, this tool generates test cases from the specification of FRs of a project).…”

“…In addition, MDE has been also successfully applied to real software environments and it has shown a considerable area of impact on reducing timeto-market and improving software product quality. For instance, in the business process management [11], healthcare, software product lines [12], or web engineering among others.…”

Collaborative Engineering Paradigm Applied to the Aerospace Industry

“…For the systems development methodology, the NDT (Navigational Development Techniques) methodology was selected. NDT was developed by the IWT2 research group (University of Seville) [13] The project was planned in two main phases, a first phase of analysis and definition and a second phase of implementation and testing of the defined solution.…”

Detecting Web requirements conflicts and inconsistencies under a model-based perspective

“…On the other hand, an important number of companies in Spain, such as Icosis 1 , Everis 2 , Emasesa 3 , and some institutions such as the Andalusian Regional Government, Emasesa and other, work with NDT and the associated tools for software development. This is possible due to the fact that NDT is completely supported by a set of tools, grouped in the NDT-Suite [23] [13]. NDT-Suite works on/with a UML-based tool named Enterprise Architect (EA) [7].…”