Towards a UML Profile for Building on Top of Running Software

Abstract

Currently, fewer and fewer applications are developed from scratch. Therefore, with any development process, it is very important to determine during the analysis and design phases whether there are any applications that must be safeguarded and how this could be accomplished. Legacy applications, as well as Enterprise Resource Planning integration are typical examples of developments that deal with safeguarding. Indeed, safeguarding may be necessary for a specific piece of work involving the integration of new developments with different parts of running applications. To support such a difficult but fundamental task, we recommend a set of extensions through a UML profile. In this proposal, we highlight three aspects of safeguarding which have to be taken into account: the business expertise, the interfaces, and the code itself. We then present how this profile can be used along the different phases of analysis and design; applicable guidelines are provided to support software designers in their daily work.