USL: A Domain-Specific Language for Precise Specification of Use Cases and Its Transformations

Abstract

A use case model is often represented by a UML use case diagram and loosely structured textual descriptions. The use case model expressed in such a form contains ambiguous and imprecise parts. This prevents integrating it into model-driven approaches, where use case models are often taken as the source of transformations. In this paper, we introduce a domain-specific language named the Use case Specification Language (USL) to precisely specify use cases. We define the abstract syntax of USL using a metamodel together with OCL wellformedness rules and then provide a graphical concrete syntax for the usability goal. We also define a precise semantics for USL by mapping USL models to Labelled Transition Systems (LTSs). It opens a possibility to transform USL models to software artifacts such as test cases and design models. We focus on a transformation from a USL model to a template-based use case description in order to illustrate our method. A language evaluation of USL is also performed in this paper. Povzetek: Zasnovan je domensko specifični jezik USL za natančno specifikacijo primerov in transformacij.

Automated Code Generation from Use cases and the Domain Model

“…The USL language is a DSML to specify use cases precisely. This language was introduced in other research [3]. The USL is defined based on the metamodeling technique.…”

“…A major challenge for automation in software development is software requirements described in the natural language and modeled by models that are not precise enough. proposed a model To deal with this challenge, [3] proposed a DSML (Domain-Specific Modeling Language) named USL (Use case Specific Language) to precisely specify textual use case descriptions for automation aims in software development. In the research, we discussed abilities to generate analysis, design models, and test cases automatically from USL models.…”

“…V. TOOL SUPPORTWe have added a code generation feature named USLSCG for the USL tool in the research[3] as depicted in Figure7.The USL tool allows the integration use cases into modeldriven software engineering (MDSE). Firstly, this tool reads use case diagrams and a UML domain class diagram.…”