Towards Pluri-Platform Development: Evaluating a Graphical Model-Driven Approach to App Development Across Device Classes

Rieger Christoph, Kuchen Herbert

Abstract

The domain of mobile apps encompasses a fast-changing ecosystem of platforms and vendors in which new classes of heterogeneous app-enabled devices are emerging. To digitize everyday work routines, business apps are used by many non-technical users. However, designing apps is mostly done according to traditional software development practices, and further complicated by the variability of device capabilities. To empower non-technical users to participate in the creation of supportive apps, graphical domain-specific languages can be used. Consequently, we propose the Münster App Modeling Language (MAML) to specify business apps through graphical building blocks on a high level of abstraction. In contrast to existing process modelling notations, these models can directly be transformed into apps for multiple platforms across different device classes through code generators without the need for manual programming. To evaluate the comprehensibility and usability of MAML's DSL, two studies were performed with software developers, process modellers, and domain experts.