Keywords: GLSP, LSP, Modeling tool, Software modeling, UML, Web modeling
Astract: Web-based modeling tools provide unprecedented opportunities for the realization of modern, powerful, and usable diagram editors running in the cloud. The development of such tools, however, still poses significant challenges for developers. The graphical language server platform (GLSP) aims to reduce some of these challenges by providing the necessary frameworks to efficiently create web modeling tools. However, realizing modeling tools with GLSP remains challenging and not much support for interested tool developers is provided yet. This paper discusses these challenges and lessons learned after working with GLSP and realizing several GLSP-based modeling tools. We present experiences, concepts, and a reusable reference architecture to develop and operate GLSP-based web modeling tools. As a proof of concept, we report on the realization of a GLSP-based UML editor called bigUML. Through bigUML, we show that our procedure and the reference architecture we developed resulted in a scalable and flexible GLSP-based web modeling tool for the UML. The lessons learned, the procedural approach, the reference architecture, and the critical reflection on the challenges and opportunities of using GLSP provide valuable insights to the community and shall ease the decision of whether or not to use GLSP for future tool development projects. With this paper, we publicly release a reference implementation of our architecture.

Keywords: Accessibility, GLSP, Modeling tool, Natural language interface, Speech-based interaction, UML
Astract: Modeling is a core task in enterprise systems engineering. The use of graphical modeling editors, however, remains cumbersome in general and poses a significant challenge for users with disabilities. Natural language processing (NLP) and intent recognition are at the forefront of making many technologies more accessible and intuitive by allowing users to engage using natural language. This paper presents a natural language interface (NLI) for speech-based UML model interaction that leverages state-of-the-art NLP technologies to enable speech-based modeling. We provide a workflow for the creation of NLIs for modeling editors, a proof-of-concept integration of this approach into the bigUML open-source modeling editor, and an empirical evaluation that shows promising results in intent recognition, the effectiveness of model creation, and usability. Thereby, this paper makes significant contributions towards more natural, inclusive, and accessible modeling.

Keywords: Model-Driven Engineering, Accessibility, Inclusion
Astract: While model-driven engineering (MDE) claims to be a good development approach for cross-cutting concerns, this raises the question of why not every application created with MDE is accessible. Moreover, why are the MDE development processes and the tools themselves not more inclusive? In this vision paper, we sketch an ideal picture of how inclusivity in MDE - considered throughout tools, methods, artifacts, and processes - would intrinsically lead to more accessible software systems. We review the state-of-the-art, discuss current challenges, and present a possible future of inclusive MDE.

Keywords: CDS, Domain-specific language, Langium, LSP, Model-driven engineering, Modeling tool, SAP Core Data Services, Sprotty
Astract: This paper introduces bigER2CDS, a novel model-driven engineering approach and tool support for SAP Core Data Services (CDS). bigER2CDS addresses the need for a higher abstraction level in CDS development, enabling blended, i.e., textual and graphical modeling of CDS Views through a domain-specific modeling language. Based on web technologies and the Language Server Protocol (LSP), we realized a modeling tool for SAP CDS. Our tool supports the hybrid modeling of CDS and the import of existing SAP CDS view entities for analysis and development support. This model-driven approach aims to enable domain experts to develop CDS views, mitigating the need for extensive programming skills. We report on the development of the ER2CDS domain-specific language (DSL) and the implementation of the corresponding bigER2CDS modeling tool. Finally, bigER2CDS is evaluated in the form of a controlled experiment and a case study with domain experts and CDS developers. The results show a high usability score for our tool and a willingness by domain experts and CDS developers to use it. The tool can be freely downloaded from the VS Code marketplace: https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=BIGModelingTools.er2cds.

Keywords: Accessibility, Conceptual modeling, Disability, Modeling tools, Systematic literature review, Tool review
Astract: The reports on Disability by the World Health Organization show that the number of people with disabilities is increasing. Consequently, accessibility should play an essential role in information systems engineering research. While there is an increasingly rich set of available web accessibility guidelines, testing frameworks, and generally accessibility features in modern web-based software systems, software development frameworks, and Integrated Development Environments, this paper shows, based on a systematic review of the literature and current modeling tools, that accessibility is, so far, only scarcely focused in conceptual modeling research. With this paper, we assess the state of the art of accessibility in conceptual modeling, we identify current research gaps, and we delineate a vision toward more accessible conceptual modeling methods and tools. As a concrete step forward toward this vision, we present a generic concept of a keyboard-only modeling tool interaction that is implemented as a new module for the Graphical Language Server Platform (GLSP) framework. We show—using a currently developed UML modeling tool—how efficiently this module allows GLSP-based tool developers to introduce accessibility features into their modeling tools, thereby engaging physically disabled users in conceptual modeling.