The CAT problem space: Combining collaborative real-time algorithms and asynchronous transformations for collaborative modelling

Abstract

Model-Driven Engineering (MDE) is a Software Engineering approach that relies on models to create applications. Models capture knowledge at several levels of abstraction (e.g. statechart models, class models, etc.). often created by different stakeholders that, at the end, need to combine them all together (e.g. through transformations, mappings, etc.) to produce the desired application. Collaboration is thus a key aspect. However, MDE mostly happens in non collaborative environments usually because of technological restrictions of the tools and languages used to describe the models and the transformations manipulating such models. This article discuses strategies for building real-time collaborative modelling environments. We propose a problem space that helps MDE practitioners to understand all the combinations of metamodels-models-representations that take place in MDE, as well as how to combine collaborative real-time algorithms and transformational approaches for each of them. Finally, we discuss implications from the topology perspective that MDE practitioners should consider when architecturing their collaborative environments.