Modeling plays an important role in the development of large and/or complex software systems. Models are not only used to specify requirements and design for such systems, but also to develop and communicate understanding of a broad range of subject matters surrounding their development, operation and maintenance.

In the first component of this course, students will learn to use general purpose and domain specific modeling languages to describe complex subject matters. Through a series of practical workshops, students will develop an appreciation for the characteristics and capabilities of each language, and will discover that a good deal of effort and diligence is required to produce useful models. This experience will prepare students to make and implement decisions regarding the appropriate use of modeling throughout the software development life-cycle.

In the second component of the course, students will learn how to integrate several modeling languages to form specifications that are unambiguous, consistent and understandable. They will then be introduced to various approaches for verifying such specifications and translating them into executable software. This will include consideration of architectural, design and implementation issues, model translation and code generation.

The final component of the course will introduce students to current model-driven software development research including that underway at the ANU.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• explain the role and importance of modelling in software development
• make and defend decisions regarding the appropriate use of modelling throughout the software development life-cycle
• demonstrate the practical application of several general purpose modeling languages
• design and demonstrate the practical application of domain specific modeling languages
• integrate a set of models to form effective software specifications
• describe concepts involved in the verification and translation of specifications
• demonstrate the translation of specifications to form executable software
• explain and analyse emerging model-driven development techniques

Thirty one-hour lectures and nine two-hour tutorial/laboratory session