Modeling should be an independent scientific discipline

Abstract

Software modeling started as a paradigm to help developers build better software faster by enabling them to specify, reason and manipulate software systems at a higher-abstraction level while ignoring irrelevant low-level technical details. But this same principle manifests in any other domain that has to deal with complex systems, software-based or not. We argue that bringing to other engineering and scientific fields, our modeling expertise is a win–win opportunity where we can all learn from each other as we all model, but in complementary ways. Nevertheless, to fully unleash the benefits of this collaboration, we must go beyond individual efforts trying to adapt single techniques from one field to another. It requires a deeper reformulation of modeling as a whole. It is time for modeling to become an independent discipline where all fields of knowledge can contribute and benefit from.

Conceptual Temporal Modeling Applied to Databases

“…Modeling is as old as mankind, allowing humans to represent reality to communicate, understand how something works, and devise and build more complex artifacts and systems [12]. Modeling manifests in many domains having to do with complex systems, including software engineering.…”

“…As such, software modeling has developed to provide concepts and mechanisms related to modeling as well as tools for editing, building, and managing models and their related artifacts. A variety of scientific and engineering fields could certainly benefit from these advances and tools [12]. In this context, according to Cabot and Vallecillo [12], broadening the horizons and aiming to realize modeling's full potential will improve modeling as a whole, opening the doors to many new and exciting opportunities for the modeling community.…”

“…A variety of scientific and engineering fields could certainly benefit from these advances and tools [12]. In this context, according to Cabot and Vallecillo [12], broadening the horizons and aiming to realize modeling's full potential will improve modeling as a whole, opening the doors to many new and exciting opportunities for the modeling community.…”

“…A conceptual model consists of concepts used to help people know, understand, or simulate the system that the model represents [12]. These models provide representations of systems and share a set of common characteristics.…”

“…Simultaneously, another process begins with the work list (12). The work list is processed, and if it is empty, it waits (13), and if it is not empty, the list is processed (14) to extract one order to be processed (15).…”