Describing role models in terms of Formal Concept Analysis

Abstract

In the past years Software Engineering has experienced several difficulties in modularising crosscutting aspects, like shared, dynamic or scattered behavior of object-oriented systems. One approach to overcome these difficulties is to encapsulate such behavior in separate modules, called role models. Role composition provides means to compose coherent, executable software systems from such role models. This paper focuses on creating a concept-based framework for representing role models. Applying several order-theoretic theorems, Formal Concept Analysis allows for checking the role models and role model composition for consistency and analysing quantitative characteristics of the system design, like size estimation. Another benefit is the ability of Formal Concept Analysis to visualize data and their relations. This provides mechanisms for tracing the lifecycle of role-playing objects at run-time and, thus, for learning about role changes and relations between roles. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2010.