A Reusability-Oriented Use-Case Model: Textual Specification Language

Requirement specifications play an essential role in software development processes. They can take different forms, including a use-case model. The use-case model defines the use-cases and the relationships among them and contains definitions of the use-case specifications. It is used to estimate software development project efforts and for planning iterations. The use-case model is subject to change as requirements evolve or the model is refactored. Therefore, it is essential that the use-case model is not redundant and its parts are reusable. Existing approaches for the use-case model specification support reusability in a limited way. This paper fills the gap. It introduces a new Use-Case Flow Language to specify the entire use-case model conveniently yet semi-formally. The language is defined at the abstract syntax level by a metamodel with an informal description of the semantics of the metamodel elements. A discussion and justification of metamodel elements is given. A concrete textual syntax of the language is also provided and informally described. An example of a use-case model specified in the proposed notation is presented in the paper.