Converting conversation protocols using an XML based differential behavioral model

Abstract

Conversation protocols are used to communicate between information systems, with services, with sensors, or with human beings. As many of these protocols share similar application purposes, the protocols also seem to share similar basic functionality. Using the Extensible Markup Language (XML) as a unified syntax for data transmission might be a step in the right direction. Beyond that, mapping techniques like the Extensible Stylesheet Language Transformation (XSLT) or XQuery can be used to achieve compatibility between different protocols by converting the messages of a protocol into a new representation. However, these approaches come to an end as soon as the communication behavior of a protocol changes. In this paper, we introduce a method that allows the modeling of conversation protocol changes which also includes changes of the communication behavior. The model is based on XQueries, which are used for the data transformation, and adds a layer on top of it. Our case study and evaluation shows that a high level of compatibility between protocol versions and different protocols can be achieved when using the described approach. © 2011 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.