DAGGTAX: A Taxonomy of Data Aggregation Processes

Abstract

Abstract-Data aggregation processes are essential constituents for data management in modern computer systems, such as decision support systems and Internet of Things (IoT) systems. Due to the heterogeneity and real-time constraints in such systems, designing appropriate data aggregation processes often demands considerable efforts. A study on the characteristics of data aggregation processes will provide a comprehensive view for the designers, and facilitate potential tool support to ease the design process. In this paper, we propose a taxonomy called DAGGTAX, which is a feature diagram that models the common and variable characteristics of data aggregation processes, especially focusing on the real-time aspect. The taxonomy can serve as the foundation of a design tool that enables designers to build an aggregation process by selecting and composing desired features, and to reason about the feasibility of the design. We also provide a set of design heuristics that could help designers to decide the appropriate mechanisms for achieving the selected features. Our industrial case study demonstrates that DAGGTAX not only strengthens the understanding, but also facilitates the model-driven design of data aggregation processes.

Tool-supported design of data aggregation processes in cloud monitoring systems

“…Similarly to what we have already experienced (Cai et al 2017a, b), DAGGTAX can enhance the understanding about the data, the aggregation processes, as well as their interplays in the designed cloud system. From the feature diagrams, the reusable features are easier to be identified, which enhances the reusability of the design.…”

“…DAGGTAX (Cai et al 2017a) provides a global, high-level characterization of DAP, in the form of a feature diagram (Kang et al 1990), presented in Fig 1. In this diagram, the graphical notation conforms to the one of the feature model, introduced in Sect. 2.1.…”

“…In the following, we briefly explain the concepts underlying each feature. For more details, we refer to our previous work (Cai et al 2017a Aggregated data An aggregation process must produce one aggregated data. Its sub-features include:…”

“…Our approach applies a taxonomy of Data Aggregation Processes (DAP) called DAGGTAX (Data AGGregation TAXonomy) (Cai et al 2017a) during the design. Presented as a feature diagram, DAGGTAX includes the common and variable features of the data as well as the aggregation process itself, and has formal semantics in Boolean logic.…”