Automated Mediator Synthesis: Combining Behavioural and Ontological Reasoning
Amel Bennaceur, Chris Chilton, Malte Isberner, and Bengt Jonsson
In Robert M. Hierons, Mercedes G. Merayo, and Mario Bravetti, editors, Proc. 11th International Conference on Software Engineering and Formal Methods (SEFM'13), Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol. 8137, pp. 274-288. Springer-Verlag, 2013.
Abstract: Software systems are increasingly composed of independently developed heterogeneous components. To ensure interoperability, mediators are needed that coordinate actions and translate exchanged messages between the components. We present a technique for automated synthesis of mediators, by means of a quotient operator, that is based on behavioural models of the components and an ontological model of the data domain. By not requiring a specification of the composed system, the method supports both off-line and run-time synthesis. The obtained mediator is the most general component that ensures freedom of both communication mismatches and deadlock in the composition. Validation of the approach is given by implementation of a prototype tool, while applicability is illustrated on heterogeneous holiday booking components.