UCAnDoModels: A Context-based Model Editor for Editing and Debugging UML Class and State-Machine Diagrams

Abstract

Practitioners face cognitive challenges when using model editors to edit and debug UML models, which make them reluctant to adopt modelling. To assist practitioners in their modelling tasks, we have developed effective and easy-to-use tooling techniques and interfaces that address some of these challenges. The principle philosophy behind our tool is to employ cognitive-based techniques such as Focus+Context interfaces and increased automation of modelling tasks, in order to provide the users with valid, relevant and meaningful contextual information that are essential to fulfil a focus task (e.g., writing a transition expression). This paper presents our approach, which we call User-Centric and Artefact-Centric Development of Models (UCAnDoModels), and discusses two usecase scenarios to demonstrate how our tooling techniques can enhance the user experience with modelling tools.