A fully model-based approach to the design of the SEcube™ community web app

Abstract

We present a model-driven approach to the creation of online community web apps that leverages the capabilities of the DIME model-driven development environment for web applications. Thereby we specifically focus the community-specific needs and structural elements and functionality of the online community around the SEcube™ project. Starting with only vague requirements, we applied a double scaffolding approach along the definition, structuring, and implementation of both the content as well as the features of the web application. We sketch how starting with a modeled but nearly plain prototype, we have continuously extended the feature set to establish a user-focused and dynamic solution for the community, and how this evolution influenced the ideas for building a specialized toolkit tailored towards the specific characteristics of community web apps.