Characteristics, potentials, and limitations of open-source Simulink projects for empirical research

Abstract Simulink is an example of a successful application the paradigm model-based development into industrial practice. Numerous companies create and maintain projects for modeling software-intensive embedded systems, aiming at early validation automated code generation. However, are not as easily available code-based ones, which profit from large publicly accessible open-source repositories, thus curbing empirical research. In this paper, we investigate set 1734 freely models 194 analyze their suitability We considering (1) context, (2) complexity in terms size organization within projects, (3) evolution over time. Our results show that there both limitations potentials On one hand, some domains dominate number can be considered toy examples limited practical relevance. These often stem academic consist only few blocks, no longer (or have never been) under active or maintenance. other found subset analyzed considerable complexity. There comprising several thousands them highly modularized by hierarchically organized subsystems. Likewise, expose maintenance span years, indicates they used primary artifacts throughout project’s lifecycle. According to discussion our with domain expert, many mature enough quality analysis purposes, characteristics representative industry-scale models. Thus, confident suitable More generally, using model corpus dedicated enables researchers replicate findings, publish subsequent studies, use purposes. dataset sake replicating fostering future