The Molecular Modeling Language GEMAL

Abstract

This project follows the design science research methodology, and uses a reference model, an ontology, and a scientific basis for constructing visual notations, to study a molecular modeling language (GEMAL). The project takes a language proposal for the modeling language, created by the project's supervisor John Krogstie, as a starting point for further design and development. The modeling language has been successfuly implemented in a software application for modeling languages. Case studies, an online survey, and an expert evaluation have been conducted in an effort of uncovering whether a molecular modeling language like GEMAL is better equipped to tackle some of the many challenges posed to modeling languages in the conceptual modeling field today.

Results indicate that GEMAL brings some interesting ideas to the field. Using the implentation of the modeling language, it has been shown that GEMAL is able to represent a range of traditional modeling cases, and that it can reproduce models stemming from different modeling languages that adhere to different modeling perspectives.