Software Development
Software development basics and processes
As software influences more aspects of daily life, its development has become increasingly sophisticated. Larger projects tend to be highly complex, requiring developers to follow a clearly structured process model. This process divides the development into manageable phases and, in agile development, often includes daily meetings with clients. Depending on the project, the approach may vary from the traditional ‘waterfall model’ (where phases are completed sequentially) to hybrid models or agile development, which is highly popular today.
Model-based software development aims to generate (at least partially) executable software from formal models. This is achieved through universal modelling languages such as UML and SysML, as well as domain-specific languages (DSLs). The higher level of abstraction provided by DSLs clarifies problem descriptions and speeds up development.
Reduced complexity with model-based software development
The advantage here is that the model is much less complex than the software to be created. This makes it much easier, especially in large projects, to always maintain an overview and at the same time document the development process in a verifiable manner.
Development is also simplified by the separation of the technical mapping and the functional models. This means that test cases can be carried out faster, as you are no longer testing code, but checking the system behaviour at a functional level.
When it comes to modelling tools, a distinction is made between graphical and textual or transformers. Tools such as Enterprise Architect are integrated MDD tools, as they include modelling, model transformation and code generation. This supports the synchronisation between the functional and technical model and the code.
Advantages of Model-Based Software Development
Model-based software development offers numerous advantages over traditional approaches, benefiting all stages of development, from requirements analysis to design, implementation, testing, and maintenance.
Here are some key benefits that contribute to faster time-to-market, higher quality products, and increased customer satisfaction:
Understanding and managing requirements: Visual representations make it easier to understand and communicate requirements with all stakeholders. The relationships between elements are clearly depicted, enabling faster implementation of changes.
Design and architecture: Abstraction simplifies complex software architectures and facilitates error analysis. Once created, architectures and components can be reused at any time.
Automation and code generation: Various processes (e.g., code generation and testing) can be automated, significantly improving development efficiency. The model, as a central data source, ensures consistency from requirements to implementation.
Test and verification: Models can be simulated to check system behaviour, serve as a basis for test cases, and facilitate validation based on user requirements.
Collaboration and communication: Models promote better communication and collaboration among all participants and serve as living documentation that captures decisions and dependencies.
Adaptability and maintainability: Models provide a roadmap for future development and help integrate legacy systems into modern architectures.
Innovation and transformation: Models allow for experiments with new technologies and business models in a risk-free environment.
Practical use cases from our customers:
Gobas GmbH develops clear diagrams for SAP ABAP OO developments
FAQs on Software Development
What are the differences between classic and model-based software development?
The development of software has become increasingly refined and differentiated over time. From its beginnings in the 1950s until today, however, it has shown that software is becoming increasingly complex and therefore requires very sophisticated methods in order to maintain an overview during development.
In classic software development, the code is still written directly in the chosen programming language, but according to a structured plan (process model). In addition, the client is consulted very frequently (sometimes daily) in order to stay on the right track.
In contrast, model-based software development has decided to simplify complexity by mapping it in models. Based on object-orientated programming, universal (UML, SysML etc.) and domain-specific languages were developed for this purpose. The higher degree of abstraction means that the tasks to be solved can be described more clearly and easily understood and development is accelerated. In addition, the separation of technical and domain-specific models facilitates development.
What are the benefits of model-based software development?
The benefits of model-based software development span multiple stages, from requirements analysis to implementation, testing, and maintenance. Key advantages include:
- Communication: Visual representations simplify understanding and communication among all parties.
- Traceability: Models clearly show relationships and enable faster implementation of changes.
- Comprehensibility: Abstraction makes complex architectures easier to understand and facilitates error analysis.
- Reusability: Once created, architectures or components can be reused.
- Automation: Precise specifications make processes easy to automate, such as code generation and test execution.
- Only a single data source: The model, as a central data source, guarantees consistency throughout development and implementation.
What is the goal of model-based software development?
The primary aim of model-based software development is to improve efficiency, quality, and flexibility. Models act as central artefacts, allowing for greater automation and standardisation through increased abstraction.
Here are some key goals:
- Abstraction: Higher levels of abstraction enable developers to focus on business logic and design without being distracted by implementation details
- Consistency: Models can undergo formal checks to ensure consistency and correctness.
- Communication: Visual representations facilitate collaboration with all stakeholders.
- Flexibility: Models are easy to extend, increasing flexibility during development and maintenance.
- Documentation: Models serve as comprehensive and understandable documentation.
- Integration: Models support the integration of different systems and technologies.
