VIEWS OF MATHEMATICAL-PROGRAMMING MODELS AND THEIR INSTANCES

Large-scale mathematical models are built, managed and applied by peop le with different cognitive skills. This poses a challenge for the des ign of a multi-view architecture of a system that accommodates these d ifferences. A primary objective of mathematical modeling is providing insights into problem behavior, and there are many constituencies who require different views for different questions. One constituency is c omposed of modellers who have different views of basic model component s. Another constituency is composed of problem owners for whom models are built. These two constituencies, which are not exhaustive, have si gnificantly different needs and skills. This paper addresses this issu e of multiview architecture by presenting a formal framework for the d esign of a view creation and management system. Specific views we cons ider include algebraic, block schematic, graphic, and textual. Both fo rm and content are relevant to view creation, and the merits of views are determined by their value in aiding comprehension and insight. The need for a central, formal structure to create and manage views is de monstrated by the inadequacy of direct mappings from any of the popula r systems that are typically designed to support only one View of line ar programming models and their instances.