MondexGui

I will be working to develop a GUI to allow those unfamiliar VDM (e.g. Bankers) to interact with the Mondex model constructed by the rest of the group. The GUI will run on the VDM Toolbox via the CORBA API.

Full Project Proposal

Project Aim:

The aim of this project is to develop and evaluate a GUI (graphical user interface) to allow users to interact with a VDM (Vienna Develop Method) model of Mondex, starting from the previously developed model. The GUI will allow the model and its parameters to be tested by users who are unfamiliar with VDM for example, experts in banking systems.

Project Objectives:

• Develop and deliver a GUI
• The GUI will use the CORBA (Common Object Request Broker Architecture) API (Application Program Interface) and VDMTools to run the VDM model.
• The GUI will be written in Java.
• The GUI should be easy to use. A user familiar with Mondex should be able to use it with the aid of simple instructions, if necessary.
• The GUI should enable any interface preserving changes to be made to the model without affecting the GUI’s operation.
• Perform any necessary changes to the VDM Mondex model.
• Evaluate the GUI.
• Produce a user guide for the GUI.

Initial Research:

• The CORBA API.
• The Mondex System and the “Grand Challenges”. Mondex is one of the Grand Challenges in Dependable Systems, researching this will provide background to the problem.
• VDM. A good understanding of VDM and the creation of VDM models is very important in this project.
• How to best manage and execute a software engineering project.

Expected Outcomes:

At the end of the project a fully working GUI will be delivered, with a dissertation detailing the process of its creation. The dissertation will include the method used to develop and create the GUI, a full copy of the source code, any changes made to the VDM model, details and results of testing the GUI, an evaluation of the quality of the GUI and a user guide to the GUI and VDM model.

Current Research

At the moment, I am concentrating on learning VDM and developing a statement of requirements for the GUI. I will be using the flattened versions VDM-SL of the model.

More details will be posted here as the project progresses.

-- SarahClarke - 18 Jul 2008