Model-Integrated Computing (MIC) focuses on the formal representation, composition, analysis and manipulation of models during the design process. It places models in the center of the entire life-cycle of systems, including specification, design, development, verification, integration, and maintenance. MIC refines and facilitates “model-based development” (advocated in efforts like the Model-Driven Architecture (MDA) of the Object Management Group, see www.omg.org/mda, and others, such as MDD/MDC/MDE etc.) by providing three core elements:

1. specification and use of domain-specific modeling languages (DSML),
2. fully integrated metaprogrammable MIC tool suite, and
3. open integration and use of formal analysis tools, verification techniques and model transformations in the development process.

Figure: Metaprogrammable MIC Tool Suite

The extensive use of DSMLs are supported by metamodeling and the metaprogrammable MIC tool suite. The tool suite includes the Generic Model Editor (GME), the Model Management tool suite (UDM), the Model Transformation tool suite (GReAT), the Design Space Exploration tool suite (DESERT) and the Open Tool Integration Framework (OTIF). Due to its architecture and metaprogrammability, the MIC tool suite is not dedicated to a particular metamodeling language (such as MetaGME, EMF-Ecore, UML-2, MOF, etc.), although most users prefer to use MetaGME. Using model transformation technology, the core tools can adopt other metamodeling languages. The tool architecture is fully component based and portable to various component platforms.

The open MIC tool architecture supports the rapid integration of domain-specific tool chains from different sources. Examples for heterogeneous tool chains are discussed in publications and examples are downloadable. MIC has active research programs addressing fundamental issues in model-based design and tool development. Below we provide a selected list of papers without any attempt for completeness. A full publication list is available on the ISIS web site.

Selected MIC Papers

• Chen K., Sztipanovits J., Neema S., Emerson M., Abdelwahed S.: Toward a Semantic Anchoring Infrastructure for Domain Specific Modeling Languages, Proceedings of the 5th ACM International Conference on Embedded Software (EMSOFT'05), pp. 35-43, Jersey City, New Jersey, September 19-22, 2005.
• Sprinkle J., Karsai G.: A Domain-Specific Visual Language For Domain Model Evolution, Journal of Visual Languages and Computing, vol. 15, no. 2, April, 2004.
• Karsai, G., Maroti, M., Lédeczi, A., Gray, J. and Sztipanovits, J., “Composition and Cloning in Modeling and Meta-Modeling,” IEEE Transactions on Control System Technology, Vol. 12, No. 2, pp. 263-278, March 2004.
• Karsai G., Agrawal A., Shi F.: On the Use of Graph Transformations for the Formal Specification of Model Interpreters, Journal of Universal Computer Science, Volume 9, Issue 11, pp. 1296-1321, November, 2003.
• Karsai G., Sztipanovits J., Ledeczi A., Bapty T.: Model-Integrated Development of Embedded Software, Proceedings of the IEEE, Vol. 91, Number 1, pp. 145-164, January, 2003.
• Karsai G., Lang A., Neema S.: Tool Integration Patterns, Workshop on Tool Integration in System Development, Proceedings of ESEC/FSE , pp 33-38., Helsinki, Finland, September, 2003
• Neema S., Sztipanovits J., Karsai G.: Constraint-Based Design-Space Exploration and Model Synthesis, Proceedings of the 3rd ACM International Conference on Embedded Software, EMSOFT 2003, LNCS 2855, Philadelphia, PA, October 2, 2003.
• Sztipanovits J., Karsai G.: Model-Integrated Computing, IEEE Computer, pp. 110-112, April, 1997.
• Abbott, B., Bapty, T., Biegl, C., Karsai, G., and Sztipanovits, J., “Model-Based Approach for Software Synthesis,” IEEE Software, May 1993, pp. 42-53

Selected Application Papers

• Volgyesi P., Maroti M., Dora S., Osses E., Ledeczi A.: Software Composition and Verification for Sensor Networks, Science of Computer Programming (Elsevier), 56, 1-2, pp. 191-210, April, 2005.
• Krishnakumar Balasubramanian, Arvind S. Krishna, Emre Turkay, Jaiganesh Balasubramanian, Jeff Parsons, Aniruddha Gokhale, and Douglas C. Schmidt, Applying Model-Driven Development to Distributed Real-time and Embedded Avionics Systems, the International Journal of Embedded Systems, special issue on Design and Verification of Real-Time Embedded Software, April 2005.
• Mosterman, P., Sztipanovits, J., Engell, S.: “Computer-Automated Multi-Paradigm Modeling in Control Systems technology,” IEEE Transactions on Control System Technology, Vol. 12, No. 2, pp. 223-234, March 2004
• Agrawal A., Simon G., Karsai G.: Semantic Translation of Simulink/Stateflow models to Hybrid Automata using Graph Transformations, International Workshop on Graph Transformation and Visual Modeling Techniques, Electronic Notes in Theoretical Computer Science, Barcelona, Spain, March 27, 2004
• Long, E., Misra, A., and Sztipanovits, J., “Increasing Productivity at SATURN,” IEEE Computer, August 1998, pp. 35-44
• Karsai, G., Sztipanovits, Padalkar, S., Biegl, C., J., Okuda, K., and Miyasaka, N, “Model-Based Intelligent Process Control for Cogenerator Plants,” Journal of Parallel and Distributed Computing, Vol. 15, No. 6, pp. 90-102
• Sztipanovits, J., Karsai, G., and Biegl, C., “Graph Model Based Approach to the Representation, Interpretation and Execution of Real Time Signal Processing Systems,” International Journal of Intelligent Systems, Vol.3, No. 3, 1988, pp. 269 280