Research in Modelling Simulation and Collaboration Over the Web

p>Collaboration, simulation and modelling havecollaborations based on these techniques would
been investigated to assist us in determining thebring together experts in engineering, systems
requirements for future research in modelling ofmodelling, computing, and Human Computer
problems. Huhns [1] and Paternò [2] bothInteraction.
explain that alternatives to the current approachReferences
to software development are required. This[1] Huhns, M. (2001) Interaction-Oriented Software
should allow translation from a model-basedDevelopment. International Journal of Software
representation of software to the actualEngineering and Knowledge Engineering, 11
software. This could involve automatically259-279.
producing software for a semantic web site from[2] Paternò, F. (2005) Model-based tools
visual representations of the problem. The core offor pervasive usability. Interacting with Computers
this modelling infrastructure would be automated17 (3), 291-315.
generation of models written using World Wide[3] Alloy
Web Consortium (W3C) standards based[4] Wallace C. (2003) Using Alloy in process
languages and the visualisation of informationmodelling. Information and Software Technology,
represented in such W3C standard ways. WeVol. 45 (15), 1031-1043.
have examined modelling languages such as Alloy[5] W3C Math Home - - What is MathML?
[3] examined by Wallace [4], in order to establish[6] Gray J, Zhang J, Lin Y, Roychoudhury S, Wu
how modelling languages can be used as anH, Sudarsan R, Gokhale A, Neema S, Shi F, and
interface to an End-User ProgrammingBapty T, Model-Driven Program Transformation
environment.of a Large Avionics Framework, 2004, Third
Transformation from a model building environmentInternational Conference on Generative
to program code has been investigated by GrayProgramming and Component Engineering GPCE.
et al [5]. MathML [6] can assist in this process by[7] Guibert N, Girard P, Guittet L, (2004),
providing an open representation of functions asExample-based Programming: a pertinent visual
XML (eXtensible Markup Language). Functionsapproach for learning to program, University of
entered by the model developer can then bePoitiers, Proceedings of the working conference
translated to this open representation andon Advanced visual interfaces - Pages: 358 - 361 -
translated to programming languages and/or readISBN:1-58113-867-9.
by programming languages. The representation of[8] Spar - Tree based representation
functions and information can sometimes be[9] Interactive Examples
illustrated diagrammatically. Guibert et al [7] explain[10] Morris, S., Neilson, I., Charlton, C., Little, J.
and expands on Smiths work with an example(2001) Interactivity and collaboration on the
demonstrating how numbers fail to reveal theWWW - is the 'WWW shell' sufficient?. Interacting
concept behind them. The example is a numericalwith Computers, 13, 717-730.
representation of a triangle. This representation is[11] Aziz, H., Gao, J., Maropoulos, P., Chewing, W.
'fregean' because it does not show the conceptM. (2005) Open standard, open source and
of a triangle. Next to this is a diagram of thepeer-to-peer tools and methods for collaborative
triangle that does show the concept. This is theproduct development. Computers in Industry, 56,
theory behind our conversions to interactive SVG260-271.
(Scalable Vector Graphics) and and tree based[12] Ciancarini, P. & Rossi, D. & Vitali, F.
representations of information and functions [8][9].(2001) Designing a document-centric coordination
An open standards web driven method ofapplication over the Internet. Interacting with
collaboration is required to make it possible forComputers, 13 677-693.
organisations and individuals to become more[13] Nidamarthi S., Allen R. H., Ram D. S. (2001)
deeply involved in projects that are wellObservations from supplementing the traditional
coordinated using web technologies. Morris et al.design process via Internet-based collaboration
[10] examine Interactivity and collaboration on thetools, Computer Integrated Manufacturing, 14 (1),
web. Aziz et al. [11] examine how open standards95-107.
software can assist in an organisation's[14] Huang, G. Q., Mak, K. L. (2001) Issues in the
collaborative product development. This approachdevelopment and implementation of web
is outlined in Ciancarini et al. [12] that explainsapplications for product design and manufacture.
ways of designing a document-centric coordinationComputer Integrated Manufacturing, 14 (1),
application over the Internet. Nidamarthi et al. [13]125-135.
explain how web based collaboration can aid the[15] Reed, J. A., Follen, G. J., Afjeh A. A. (2000)
design process. Huang and Mak [14] evaluateImproving the Aircraft Design Process Using
issues in the development and implementation ofWeb-Based Modeling and Simulation. ACM
web applications for product design andTransactions on Modeling and Computer
manufacture. Reed et al. [15] show how webSimulation, 10 (1), 58-83.
based modelling and simulation can be used in the[16] Kim Y., Choi Y., Bong Yoo S. (2001) Brokering
aircraft design process. Kim et al. [16] explain theirand 3D collaborative viewing of mechanical part
approach to modelling and simulation. Zhang et al.models on the Web, Computer Integrated
[17] review Internet-based product informationManufacturing, 14 (1), 28-41.
sharing and visualisation. Li [18] examines the role[17] Zhang, S., Weimen, S., Hamada, G. (2004) A
of web based services for distributed processreview of Internet-based product information
planning optimization.sharing and visualization. Computers in Industry,
The intention is to further the research of others54, 1-15.
into the approach of web based collaboration, and[18] Li, W. D. (2005) A Web-based service for
use semantic web software and techniques todistributed process planning optimization.
achieve this. The above research reinforced ourComputers in Industry, 56, 272-288.
view that this is a robust approach. Modelling