Evaluating and improving the Umple model-oriented programming language

在过去的三年里，我们开发了一项名为Umple的技术。该技术将编程和建模统一起来。它还允许在程序中逐渐增加新的抽象，这一过程我们称之为“概括”。我们的初步观察是，Umple可以加快开发速度，提高软件质量。此外，我们有证据表明，Umple帮助学生学习软件工程，因为他们可以立即从Umple生成系统，以查看他们的建模决策的影响。目前，Umple支持大多数类和状态图符号。它集成了Java、Ruby和PHP。它可以作为一个Eclipse插件使用，也可以通过UmpleOnline在线下载。 目标：我们希望在软件开发和软件工程教育的背景下改进Umple，并为了解这种技术做出贡献。 方法：当用户执行以下任务时，我们将首先评估Umple的有效性：a)创建中型新系统；b)理解现有程序；c)将程序转换为包含Umple的更简单的程序；d)学习软件工程；e)执行概念建模。 我们将进行扎根的理论研究、可用性研究、工业环境中的案例研究、正式实验，以及与竞争技术的比较，例如为UML开发的ALF操作语言。示例性实验可以包括比较使用a)Umple、b)标准编程语言或c)UML模型驱动开发工具编写的系统的可理解性。以迭代的方式，我们将应用所学到的经验教训来对Umple进行改进。

Over the past three years, we have developed a technology called Umple. This technology unifies programming and modeling. It also allows incremental addition of new abstractions to programs, a process we call 'umplification.' Our initial observation is that Umple can speed up development and improve software quality. In addition, we have evidence that Umple helps students learn about software engineering because they can instantly generate systems from Umple to see the impact of their modeling decisions. Currently, Umple supports most class and state diagram notations. It integrates with Java, Ruby and PHP. It is available as an Eclipse plugin and also online as UmpleOnline. Objective: We wish to improve Umple and contribute to knowledge about this kind of technology in the context of both software development and software engineering education. Approach: We will first assess the effectiveness of Umple when users are performing the following tasks: a) creating medium-sized new systems; b) understanding an existing program; c) converting a program into a simpler program that incorporates Umple; d) learning about software engineering; and e) performing conceptual modeling. We will conduct a grounded theory study, usability studies, case studies in industrial contexts, formal experiments, and comparisons with competing technologies such as the ALF action language being developed for UML. Example experiments may include comparison of comprehensibility of a system written using a) Umple, b) a standard programming language, or c) a UML model-driven development tool. In an iterative manner, we will apply the lessons learned to make improvements to Umple.