Seminar by Dr Gautam Shroff
Dynamic Model Driven Architectures for Utility-Computing and Information Appliances
Dr. Gautam Shroff
Vice President - Technology
Tata Consultancy Services, Gurgaon
Date: Fri, Feb 18, 2005
Time: 4:00 PM
Venue: CS-101
Abstract
In this talk we present an overview of two related emerging computing paradigms - utility computing¸ where computing applications are available "on tap" over a network, as well as the different but related need for ready-to-use appliance-like "applications in a box," or information appliances, that merely need to be attached to a local network. In either case, we argue that the ability of users to easily configure applications is critical for successful enterprise adoption of the respective model. We then describe the SfleX architecture framework, freely available as an open source project, in which we have implemend a highly flexible architecture for transaction processing applications which enables such end-user configurability through a dynamic MDA. The SfleX framework combibes a UML based model driven architecture approach with fully interpretive run-time system, resulting in a dynamic model driven architecture. The design model is part of the application, which is rendered by interpreting it at run-time. Changes to the application design are immediately available in the run-time application. Increases in processing power and improvements in interpretive techniques increasingly make this a viable alternative to the traditional approach of model driven development followed by code generation/development. Further, all SfleX functionality including configurability, is accessible "through-the-web" via a browser interface, as well through XML web services.
We submit that the dynamic MDA approach is well suited for creating software utilities or for developing information appliances. The dynamic MDA approach may also be another alternative for improving software development productivity when used together with traditional MDA approaches; we describe the JfleX project, which is currently in its initial stages, wherein such a marriage is envisaged.