Systematic Development of Internet Sites: Extending Approaches of Conceptual Modeling

Abstract

Internet information services are developed everywhere. Such services include content generation and functionality support that have to be modeled in a consistent way. Here, we show how concepts of conceptual modeling can be used for systematic development of Internet sites. We give an introduction into our methodology of modeling Internet applications resulting in the Cottbus Internet site development language (SiteLang). The language has an operational semantics based on entity-relationship structuring and abstract state machines. It allows specification of entire Web sites, i.e., of structuring, behavior, information support, and of the interaction and story space. The methodology supports applications in different environments, e.g., Internet Web sites, WAP technology, or TV channels.