TDT4252 Modelling of Information Systems Advanced Course

1. TDT4252Modelling of Information SystemsAdvanced Course Sobah Abbas Petersen Adjunct Associate Professor sap@idi.ntnu.no Lecture 4: Introduction to Metis

2. Introduction to Metis • This presentation provides an introduction to the Metis modelling application and contains a “getting started” guide to Metis modelling. • These slides are based on a set of slides prepared by John Krogstie, TDT4252, 2009, and updated in January 2012. Lecture 4: Introduction to Metis

3. Metis 5.2.2 • The Metis 5.2.2 software is available on the computers in the computer labs. • You are encouraged to use the computer labs for running Metis. Lecture 4: Introduction to Metis

4. Terminology (as used in Metis) • Metamodel: • The logical model of objects and relationship types and how they relate to each other. This is the modelling language and defines the constructs available for modelling. • Template: • How a metamodel or a set of metamodels are packaged as a set of capabilities for creating models. • Modelling domains: • A specific area or aspect (of an organisation or a situation) that is modelled. e.g. product domain, organisation domain. • Model View: • A means of organisaing and displaying model contents in a meaningful way. Lecture 4: Introduction to Metis

5. Basic Idea • Metamodels or templates provide modelling constructs or the modelling language. • Basic modelling constructs are: • Objects (object types) • Relationships (relationship types) • Symbols for the constructs • Other modelling constructs are available to structure the model contents as well as to make large models easy to present. • E.g. the concept of a folder called “container”. • Metis has powerful viewing capabilities. • Metis has a development capability to design Metamodels of your choice (this is beyond the scope of this scope). Lecture 4: Introduction to Metis

6. Modelling Capabilities • Object-oriented, based on ideas of ER modelling. • Objects and relationships have properties; name and description are default properties, others can be added in the Metamodel. • Relationships can be created between objects within the same domain or across domains. E.g. a product can be related to an organisation, to indicate responsibility. Lecture 4: Introduction to Metis

7. Important to remember! • Always ask: • Why am I creating the model? • What is the modelling goal? • What purpose will my model serve? • What questions will the model help me answer? • If you’re clear about these, then the model is more likely to give you what you want. • Always check if your model provides you the answers you want. Lecture 4: Introduction to Metis

8. Running Metis Lecture 4: Introduction to Metis

9. Starting Metis 5.2.2 Lecture 4: Introduction to Metis

10. Create Model Lecture 4: Introduction to Metis

11. Create Model: Select Metamodel or Template Lecture 4: Introduction to Metis

12. Saving the new Model Lecture 4: Introduction to Metis

13. Metis Modelling Window Lecture 4: Introduction to Metis

14. Modelling Window: Model Tree Expand the Model Tree to access the modelling constructs included in the metamodel: object types, relationship types, symbols. Lecture 4: Introduction to Metis

15. Creating models • Models can be created using the modelling constructs (or artefacts) available from the Model Tree. • Objects and relationships can be created by: • Dragging and dropping modelling constructs from the Model Tree to the Modelling Area. • Right-clicking in the Modelling Area and selecting the option “New Object” and then selecting the desired object type. • Selecting a modelling construct from the Modelling Notation Toolbar (right hand side of the screen), moving the mouse pointer to the Modelling Area and by clicking the left mouse button to place the modelling construct. Lecture 4: Introduction to Metis

16. Model Instance Tree Lecture 4: Introduction to Metis

17. Edit Properties • The Property dialogue for an object or a relationship can be obtained by: • Pointing to the entity, clicking the right mouse button and selecting the menu option “Properties”. • Pointing to the entity, Press the Shift Key and double click on the left-mouse button simultaneously. Lecture 4: Introduction to Metis

18. Edit Properties (2) Lecture 4: Introduction to Metis

19. Creating Relationships (1) Lecture 4: Introduction to Metis

20. Creating Relationships (2) • Additional ways to create relationships between objects are: • Select an object in the Modelling Area, point to another object and right click. Select “Connect to Selected” from the menu. Then a list of all the possible relationships between the selected and the current objects are listed. Select the desired type of relationship. • Select an object in the Model Instance Tree. Point to an object in the Modelling Area and right click. Select “Connect to Selected” from the menu. Select desired relationship type from the list. Lecture 4: Introduction to Metis

21. Saving Models • Metis reminds you to save your model every 10 minutes (default). • Save your model by clicking the menu iten “Save” or “Save all”. Lecture 4: Introduction to Metis

22. Open an existing Model (1) Lecture 4: Introduction to Metis

23. Open an existing Model (2) Lecture 4: Introduction to Metis

24. Model Repository Lecture 4: Introduction to Metis

25. Edit Models Lecture 4: Introduction to Metis

26. Edit Models – Shortcuts • Metis has several hot keys or shortcuts. Some commonly used ones are: • Ctrl L: Zoom All • Ctrl E: Zoom to selected object • Ctrl I: Zoom In • Ctrl U: Zoom Out • Ctrl R: Zoom rectangle • Shift, double click left mouse button: open property dialogue window Lecture 4: Introduction to Metis

27. Copy and Paste • Objects may be copied and pasted by using the right-mouse menu or by using the standard Ctrl C and Ctrl V. • The selected object (if using Ctrl C) or the current object (if using the menu) is copied along with all its sub-objects and relationships. i.e. the copy function picks up the structure that belongs to the object. • When pasting an object or a set of objects, the objects are pasted within the current object. i.e. the pasted object or structure of objects become a part of the structure of the current object (a child of the current object). Lecture 4: Introduction to Metis

28. Model ViewsViewing models contents selectively Complete model • To view just the objects connected to a specific object: • Point to the relevant object • Right click and select menu “Find instances”, “Find neighbors”. • A small window appears. Select the level (the depth of the structure) you want to view and click “Find”. • Select the menu “Create model view”. • A new model view (similar to the Modelling Area) is created with just the relevant object and the other objects that are related to it. • This can be used for: • Analysing large models • Selective viewing, e.g. selecting parts of the model that may be relevant for specific user. • For presenting selected information from a large model. Model View Lecture 4: Introduction to Metis

29. Relationship Matrices • Provide an overview of relationships between objects. e.g. the relationships between a requirements and the organisations that generated the requirements. • This can be used for: • Obtaining a quick overview of dependencies among objects. • Easy visualisation of selected model contents. • Easy access to edit the properties of relationship. Lecture 4: Introduction to Metis

30. General Objects and Relationships Model Tree • When the metamodel does not contain all the required modelling concepts: • Use “General Object” and “General Relationship”. • In the Model Tree, Open “Metis Modelling”, then select “General Relationship” or “General Object”. Lecture 4: Introduction to Metis

31. Summary • This presentation is an introduction to Metis and provides instruction on how to get started and creating simple models. • It gives an overview of basic modelling and model viewing capabilities. • Note: this is not an exhaustive list of all the capabilities. Lecture 4: Introduction to Metis