Integration of the Semantic Web and Model-Driven Software

The next enterprise computing era will rely on the synergy between both technologies: semantic web and model-driven software development (MDSD). The semantic web organizes system knowledge in conceptual domains according to its meaning. It addresses various enterprise computing needs by identifying, abstracting and rationalizing commonalities, and checking for inconsistencies across system specifications. On the other side, model-driven software development is closing the gap among business requirements, designs and executables by using domain-specific languages with custom-built syntax and semantics. It focuses on using modeling languages as programming languages.

Among many areas of application, we highlight the area of configuration management. Consider the example of a telecommunication company, where managing the multiple configurations of network devices (routers, hubs, modems, etc.) is crucial. Enterprise systems identify and document the functional and physical characteristics of network devices, and control changes to those characteristics. Applying the integration of semantic web and model-driven software development allows for

1. explicitly specifying configurations of network devices with tailor-made languages,
2. for checking the consistency of these specifications
3. for defining a vocabulary to share device specifications across enterprise systems. By managing configurations with consistent and explicit concepts, we reduce cost and risk, and enhance agility in response to new requirements in the telecommunication area.

This book examines the synergy between semantic web and model-driven software development. It brings together advances from disciplines like ontologies, description logics, domain-specific modeling, model transformation and ontology engineering to take enterprise computing to the next level.

Table of Contents

Part I Fundamentals
1 Introduction 3
2 Model-Driven Engineering Foundations 9
3 Ontology Foundations 21
4 Marrying Ontology And Model-Driven Engineering 44

Part II The Twouse Approach
5 The Twouse Conceptual Architecture 65
6 Query Languages For Integrated Models 78
7 The Twouse Toolkit 86

Part III Applications In Model-Driven Engineering
8 Improving Software Design Patterns With Owl 99
9 Modeling Ontology-Based Information Systems 112
10 Enabling Linked Data Capabilities To Mof Compliant Models 124

Part IV Applications In The Semantic Web
11 Model-Driven Specification Of Ontology Translations 141
12 Automatic Generation Of Ontology Apis 156
13 Using Templates In Owl Ontologies 171
14 Conclusion 187