A Semantic Formalization for Use Case Modeling

Marinos G. Georgiades, Andreas S. Andreou

2012

Abstract

It has been recognized that a certain level of formalization is needed to produce precise and well-defined use case models, thus tackling problematic issues such as the lack of a specific, semantic classification of use cases, the vagueness of the use case specifications written in free natural language (NL), and the limited tool support that makes use case driven analysis a time-consuming and error-prone activity. This paper presents a formal semantics for the basic use case model elements, including specific semantic types of use cases, specific types of basic and alternative flow actions, and specific functional roles actors can play. To maintain a high-degree of readability and understandability and to minimize ambiguity, the proposed approach provides a semi-formal, NL-based specification syntax, tailored to each semantic use case type, with a specific sequence of basic and alternative flow actions. The formalization is facilitated by utilizing elements of a novel methodology named Natural Language Syntax and Semantics Requirements Engineering.

References

  1. Chalin, P., Sinnig, D., Torkzadeh, K. 2008. Capturing Business Transaction Requirements in Use Case Models. In Proceedings of ACM Symposium on Applied Computing, pp. 602-606.
  2. Cockburn, A. 2000. Writing Effective Use Cases. Reading, Massachusetts: Addison Wesley.
  3. Cox, K., Phalp, K. 2003. Exploiting Use Case Descriptions for Specifications and Design. In Proceedings of EASE, UK.
  4. Dias, G., Schmitz, A., Campos, M. Correa, A., Alencar, A. 2008. Elaboration of use case specifications: an approach based on use case fragments. In ACM Symposium on Applied Computing (SAC), Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil, pp. 614-618.
  5. Eriksson, M., Börstler, K., Borg, K. 2004. Marrying Features and Use Cases for Product Line Requirements Modeling of Embedded Systems. In Proceedings of the Fourth Conference on Software Engineering Research and Practice (SERPS'04), Sweden, pp.73-82.
  6. Georgiades, M., Andreou A., Pattichis, C. 2005. A Requirements Engineering Methodology Based On Natural Language Syntax and Semantics. In Proceedings of the 13th IEEE International Conference on Requirements Engineering (RE'05), Paris, France. IEEE Computer Society, Washington, pp.73-74.
  7. Georgiades, M., Andreou, A. 2010. A Novel Methodology to Formalize the Requirements Engineering Process with the Use of Natural Language. In Proceedings of the IADIS Conference on Applied Computing, Timisoara, Romania. IADIS Digital Library, pp.11-18.
  8. Georgiades, M., Andreou, A. 2011. Formalizing and Automating Use Case Model Development, The Open Software Engineering Journal. Accepted.
  9. Kim, J., Sooyong, P., Vijayan, S. 2004. A LinguisticsBased Approach for Use Case Driven Analysis Using Goal and Scenario Authoring. In Proceedings of Applications of Natural Language to Data Bases, pp. 159-170.
  10. Leite, J., Rossi, G., Balaguer, M., Kaplan, G., Hadad, G., Oliveros, A. 1997. Enhancing a Requirements Baseline with Scenarios. In Proceedings of Requirements Engineering, Annapolis, USA.
  11. Ochodek, M., Nawrocki, J. 2007. Automatic Transactions Identification in Use Cases. In Second IFIP TC 2 Central and East European Conference on Software Engineering Techniques, CEE-SET 2007, Poznan, Poland, October 2007, pp. 55-68.
  12. Pooley, R., Stevens, P. 1999. Using UML - Software Engineering with Objects and Components, Harlow: Addison Wesley Longman.
  13. Salinesi, C. 2004. Authoring Use Cases. Chapter in Scenarios, Stories, Use Cases: I. Alexander and N. Maiden, John Wiley.
  14. Somé, S. 2007. Petri Nets Based Formalization of Textual Use Cases, Tech. Report in SITE, TR2007-11, Uni. of Ottawa.
  15. Sybase, 2002. PowerDesigner. Object Oriented User's Guide. Sybase.
Download


Paper Citation


in Harvard Style

G. Georgiades M. and S. Andreou A. (2012). A Semantic Formalization for Use Case Modeling . In Proceedings of the 14th International Conference on Enterprise Information Systems - Volume 2: ICEIS, ISBN 978-989-8565-11-2, pages 172-175. DOI: 10.5220/0004001301720175


in Bibtex Style

@conference{iceis12,
author={Marinos G. Georgiades and Andreas S. Andreou},
title={A Semantic Formalization for Use Case Modeling},
booktitle={Proceedings of the 14th International Conference on Enterprise Information Systems - Volume 2: ICEIS,},
year={2012},
pages={172-175},
publisher={SciTePress},
organization={INSTICC},
doi={10.5220/0004001301720175},
isbn={978-989-8565-11-2},
}


in EndNote Style

TY - CONF
JO - Proceedings of the 14th International Conference on Enterprise Information Systems - Volume 2: ICEIS,
TI - A Semantic Formalization for Use Case Modeling
SN - 978-989-8565-11-2
AU - G. Georgiades M.
AU - S. Andreou A.
PY - 2012
SP - 172
EP - 175
DO - 10.5220/0004001301720175