CLEM (2026 - 2030)

Combining Live and Exploratory Modeling

Behavioral models are widely used in science and engineering for representing different kinds of systems, such as software-intensive, cyber-physical, and economic systems. Such models usually need to be first designed, then implemented, and finally executed before results can be observed to answer particular questions about the systems. Each time the model is changed to reflect evolving requirements, alternative scenarios or potential improvements, the entire process must be restarted.

Live modeling challenges the strict design-first/execute-later approach by enabling users to seamlessly transition between design and execution phases. This makes it possible to render the effects of a design change visible directly on an already running execution without requiring a full restart and replay of the execution history. Furthermore, combining live modeling with exploratory modeling enables the direct exploration of a model’s design space as well as its runtime states.

Project Goals

This project develops a tool-supported methodology to enable live and exploratory modeling. In particular, scenarios such as the interactive use of live modeling in the context of the exploration and the efficient comparison of several alternative model designs will be studied for the first time.

Key objectives include:

  • Developing a novel architecture for model execution engines that offers interactive model execution
  • Supporting tool interfaces and language protocols for integrating interactive model exploration tools
  • Establishing language design principles to enable these capabilities for any modeling language
  • Enabling design space exploration, trade-off analysis, and decision making through the sound combination of live and exploratory modeling

Partners

  • DiverSE Team, University of Rennes, France
  • Institute for Business Informatics – Software Engineering, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Austria

Funding

This project is funded through international collaboration between Austria and France.

Project Website: https://clem-project.github.io/