Software engineering (SE) strives to learn from matured engineering disciplines, such as mechanical and electrical engineering (below physical engineering, PE), and MDE is an essential step in this direction. Mathematical models are fundamental for PE, but should it be so for SE? What are similarities and differences in the development and use of mathematical models in SE vs. PE? How can SE and MDE benefit from a better understanding of these similarities and differences? These questions become even more challenging when we recognize that mathematical modelling and formalization are not identical (although closely related), and the abundance of formal models in SE may actually hide the lack of mathematical models with all its negative (but perhaps negligible?) consequences.
Such questions are seldom addressed in the MDE literature, but we believe they deserve special attention. The MMMDE Workshop aims at gathering together MDE experts who are concerned with developing mathematical foundations for MDE, understanding the role of mathematical models in engineering in general and SE in particular, and with relating these general thoughts to practical MDE problems. We want to “test the waters”, and try to solidify broadly formulated concerns outlined above into several well-focused research questions or directions.
9:00–9:20 | Organisers | Introduction and goals |
9:20–10:15 | Tom Maibaum | Why Modelling Succeeds in Engineering: a Cookbook Approach to Modelling in MDE |
10:15–10:45 | Break | |
10:45–11:15 | Don Batory |
3x = 12 means x = 6: Einstein's First Equation |
11:15–11:45 | Harald König | Why do more elaborate IDEs lead to worse software? |
11:45–12:00 | Discussion | |
12:00–13:00 | Lunch | |
13:00–13:15 | Discussion | |
13:15–13:30 | Richard Paige | A set of provocative statements |
13:30–14:00 | Martin Gogolla | Observations on Support for Logical Reasoning on UML Models |
14:00–14:10 | Discussion | |
14:10–14:30 | Bran Selić | Think or Swim: Ramblings on Engineering Methodology |
14:30–15:00 | Rick Salay | Why does math in SE make work harder when in other engineering disciplines it makes it easier? |
15:00–15:30 | Break | |
15:30–16:00 | Zinovy Diskin | What is Bad with a “Bad” Mathematical Model? |
16:00–16:50 | Panel with Bran Selić, Don Batory, Tom Maibaum, Harald König | What should a mathematical model provide to be accepted and used in SE? |
16:50–17:10 | General discussion and conclusion | |
19:00–21:00 | Workshop dinner |