Formal Ontology Driven Model Refactoring

Abstract

Refactoring, successfully used in the field of programming, can be used in maintenance and restructuring of the large and complex models. In this paper, we present a novel approach for model refactoring and a set of modelling patterns that are applicable for refinement-based formal development. In order to carry out this study, we investigate the previously developed large and complex model and required ontology to develop a domain model and a refactored system model. Further, we use the Rodin tools to check the internal consistency with respect to the desired functional behaviour and the required safety properties. Our main contributions are: to develop a refactoring technique related to the \textit{ correct by construction} approach; to use the domain-specific knowledge in a system model explicitly; to define a set of modelling patterns; and to define a restructuring mechanism in the formal development. Finally, this proposed approach is evaluated through a complex medical case study: ECG clinical assessment protocol.