Analyzing Inconsistencies in UML/OCL Models

Modeling languages such as the unified modeling language (UML) or the systems modeling language (SysML) in combination with constraint languages such as the object constraint language (OCL) allows for an abstract description of a system prior to its implementation. But the resulting system models can be highly non-trivial and, hence, errors in the descriptions can easily arise. In particular, too strong restrictions leading to an inconsistent model are common. Motivated by this, researchers and engineers developed methods for the validation and verification of given formal models. However, while these methods are efficient to detect the existence of an inconsistency, the designer is usually left alone to identify the reasons for it. In this contribution, we propose an automatic method which efficiently determines reasons explaining the contradiction in an inconsistent UML/OCL model. For this purpose, all constraints causing the contradiction are comprehensibly analyzed. By this, the designer is aided duri...

[1]  Gilles Motet,et al.  A UML model consistency verification approach based on meta-modeling formalization , 2006, SAC.

[2]  Christel Baier,et al.  Tools and Algorithms for the Construction and Analysis of Systems , 2015, Lecture Notes in Computer Science.

[3]  Martin Gogolla,et al.  USE: A UML-based specification environment for validating UML and OCL , 2007, Sci. Comput. Program..

[4]  Jozef Hooman,et al.  Formalizing UML Models and OCL Constraints in PVS , 2004, SFEDL@ETAPS.

[5]  Wolfgang Müller,et al.  UML for SOC Design , 2005 .

[6]  Diego Calvanese,et al.  Reasoning on UML class diagrams , 2005, Artif. Intell..

[7]  Robert Wille,et al.  Debugging of inconsistent UML/OCL models , 2012, 2012 Design, Automation & Test in Europe Conference & Exhibition (DATE).

[8]  Martin Gogolla,et al.  Expressing UML Class Diagrams Properties with OCL , 2002, Object Modeling with the OCL.

[9]  Emina Torlak,et al.  Kodkod: A Relational Model Finder , 2007, TACAS.

[10]  Anneke Kleppe,et al.  The object constraint language: precise modeling with UML , 1998 .

[11]  Martin Gogolla,et al.  Verifying UML/OCL models using Boolean satisfiability , 2010, 2010 Design, Automation & Test in Europe Conference & Exhibition (DATE 2010).

[12]  Robert Wille,et al.  Contradiction analysis for constraint-based random simulation , 2008, 2008 Forum on Specification, Verification and Design Languages.

[13]  Felix Sheng-Ho Chang,et al.  Finding Minimal Unsatisfiable Cores of Declarative Specifications , 2008, FM.

[14]  Armin Biere,et al.  Boolector: An Efficient SMT Solver for Bit-Vectors and Arrays , 2009, TACAS.

[15]  Indrakshi Ray,et al.  UML2Alloy: a challenging model transformation , 2007, MODELS'07.

[16]  Martin Gogolla,et al.  Consistency, Independence and Consequences in UML and OCL Models , 2009, TAP@TOOLS.

[17]  Stephen A. Cook,et al.  The complexity of theorem-proving procedures , 1971, STOC.

[18]  Jun Zhang,et al.  Extracting minimal unsatisfiable subformulas in satisfiability modulo theories , 2011, Comput. Sci. Inf. Syst..

[19]  Toni Mancini,et al.  Finite Satisfiability of UML Class Diagrams by Constraint Programming , 2004, Description Logics.

[20]  Andrew Adams,et al.  Theorem Proving in Higher Order Logics , 2001, Lecture Notes in Computer Science.

[21]  Daniel Jackson,et al.  Software Abstractions - Logic, Language, and Analysis , 2006 .

[22]  Tom Mens,et al.  Using Description Logic to Maintain Consistency between UML Models , 2003, UML.

[23]  Ofer Strichman,et al.  An approach for extracting a small unsatisfiable core , 2008, Formal Methods Syst. Des..

[24]  Robert Wille,et al.  Contradiction Analysis for Inconsistent Formal Models , 2015, 2015 IEEE 18th International Symposium on Design and Diagnostics of Electronic Circuits & Systems.

[25]  Frank Budinsky,et al.  EMF: Eclipse Modeling Framework 2.0 , 2009 .

[26]  Achim D. Brucker,et al.  A Proposal for a Formal OCL Semantics in Isabelle/HOL , 2002, TPHOLs.

[27]  Jordi Cabot,et al.  Verification of UML/OCL Class Diagrams using Constraint Programming , 1899, 2008 IEEE International Conference on Software Testing Verification and Validation Workshop.

[28]  Tim Weilkiens,et al.  Systems engineering with SysML / UML - modeling, analysis, design , 2007 .