Automatically Detecting Mismatches During Component-based and Model-based Development

Abstract

A major emphasis in software development is placed on identifying and reconciling architectural and design mismatches. These mismatches happen during software development on two levels: while composing system components (e.g. COTS or in-house developed) and while reconciling view perspectives. Composing components into a system and 'composing' views (e.g. diagrams) into a system model are often seen as being somewhat distinct aspects of software development. However, as this paper shows, their approaches in detecting mismatches complement each other very well. In both cases, the composition process may result in mismatches that are caused by clashes between development artefacts. Our component-based integration approach is more high-level and can be used early on for risk assessment while little information is available. Model-based integration, on the other hand needs more information to start with but is more precise and can handle large amounts of redundant information. This paper describes both integration approaches and discusses their commonalities and differences. Both integration approaches are automatable, and some tool support is already available.