Automatic Transformation from Requirements models to Executable Prototypes

 As an joint effort between UNU-IIST and University of Macau, we are developing a tool for automatic prototype generation and analysis (AutoPA). In this paper, we present the initial version AutoPA1.0 that implements the transformations from UML system requirement models to executable prototypes. An UML system requirement consists of a use-case model and a conceptual class model. Each use case is either described as a pair of pre and post conditions in the context of the conceptual model or represented as an activity diagram drawn in MagicDraw9.5 by the user. AutoPA can transform an activity diagram into the Java code of the prototype for execution. For a use case specified in terms of its pre and post conditions, AuoPA1.0 first transforms the specification into a sequence of atomic actions to generate a corresponding activity diagram. The prototype of requirements model can be used to validate the requirements by checking the pre and post conditions of the use case operations and the system invariants. It helps to improve the understanding between customers and designers. We will use an example of a library system to illustrate the tool and its development. Keywords: Prototype, System Requirements Model, Class Diagrams, Use-Case Model, UML.