A rigorous foundation for pattern-based design models

  • Authors:

  • Soon-Kyeong Kim;David Carrington

  • Affiliations:

  • School of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Australia;School of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Australia

  • Venue:
  • ZB'05 Proceedings of the 4th international conference on Formal Specification and Development in Z and B
  • Year:
  • 2005

Quantified Score

Hi-index 0.00

Visualization

Abstract

This paper presents a way to describe design patterns rigorously based on role concepts. Rigorous pattern descriptions are a key aspect for patterns to be used as rules for model evolution in the MDA context, for example. We formalize the role concepts commonly used in defining design patterns as a role metamodel using Object-Z. Given this role metamodel, individual design patterns are specified generically as a formal pattern role model using Object-Z. We also formalize the properties that must be captured in a class model when a design pattern is deployed. These properties are defined generically in terms of role bindings from a pattern role model to a class model. Our work provides a precise but abstract approach for pattern definition and also provides a precise basis for checking the validity of pattern usage in designs.