The OO-Method approach for information systems modeling: from object-oriented conceptual modeling to automated programming

Current and future (conventional) notations used in Conceptual Modeling Tec hniques should have a precise (formal) semantics to provide a well-defined software development process, in order to go from specification to implemen tation in an automated way. To achieve this objective, the OO-Method approa ch to Information Systems Modeling presented in this paper attempts to over come the conventional (informal)/formal dichotomy by selecting the best ide as from both approaches. The OO-Method makes a clear distinction between th e problem space (centered on what the system is) and the solution space (ce ntered on how it is implemented as a software product). It provides a preci se, conventional graphical notation to obtain a system description at the p roblem space level, however this notation is strictly based on a formal OO specification language that determines the conceptual modeling constructs n eeded to obtain the system specification. An abstract execution model deter mines how to obtain the software representations corresponding to these con ceptual modeling constructs. In this way, the final software product can be obtained in an automated way. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights re served.