Pattern Specification and Matching in Conceptual Models. A Generic Approach Based on Set Operations

Delfmann P, Herwig S, Lis L, Stein A, Tent K, Becker J

Research article (journal) | Peer reviewed

Abstract

Searching for patterns in conceptual models is useful for a number of purposes, for example revealing syntactical errors, model comparison, and identification of business process improvement potentials. In this contribution, we introduce a formal approach for the specification and matching of structural patterns in conceptual models. Unlike existing approaches, we do not focus on a certain application problem or a specific modelling language. Instead, our approach is generic making it applicable for any pattern matching purpose and most conceptual modelling languages. In order to build sets representing structural model patterns, we define formal operations based on set theory, which can be applied to arbitrary models represented by sets. The basic sets represent the model elements, which in turn originate from the modelling language specification’s instances. Besides a conceptual and formal specification of our approach, we present particular application examples and a prototypical modelling tool showing its general applicability.

Details about the publication

JournalEnterprise Modelling and Information Systems Architectures - An International Electronic Journal (EMISA)
Volume5
Issue3
Page range24-43
StatusPublished
Release year2010
Language in which the publication is writtenEnglish

Authors from the University of Münster

Becker, Jörg
Chair of Information Systems and Information Management (IS)
Delfmann, Carsten Patrick
Chair of Information Systems and Information Management (IS)
Herwig, Sebastian
Chair of Information Systems and Information Management (IS)
Lis, Łukasz
Chair of Information Systems and Information Management (IS)
Stein, Armin
Chair of Information Systems and Information Management (IS)
Tent, Katrin
Professur für Algebra und Modelltheorie (Prof. Tent)