5SGraph demo: a graphical modeling tool for digital libraries

Abstract

We present a domain-specific visual modelling tool, 5SGraph, aimed at modelling digital libraries. 5SGraph is based on a metamodel that describes DLs using the 5S theory [M.A. Goncalves et al., 2003]. The output from 5SGraph is a digital library model that is an instance of the metamodel, expressed in the 5S description language (5SL) [M.A. Goncalves et al., 2002]. 5SGraph presents the metamodel in a structured toolbox, and provides a top-down visual building environment for designers. The visual proximity of the metamodel and instance model facilitates requirements gathering and simplifies the modelling process. Furthermore, 5SGraph maintains semantic constraints specified by the 5S metamodel and enforces these constraints over the instance model to ensure semantic consistency and correctness. 5SGraph enables component reuse to reduce the time and efforts of designers. 5SGraph also is designed to be flexible and extensible, able to accommodate and integrate several other complementary tools (e.g., to model scenarios or complex digital objects), reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of digital libraries. The tool has been tested with real users and several modelling tasks in a usability experiment [Zhu, Q., 2002] and its usefulness and learnability have been demonstrated.