Generation of Web Applications from Uml Models Using an Xml Publishing Framework

In this paper we present a method for the semiautomatic transition from the design models of a Web application to a running implementation. The design phase consists of constructing a set of UML models such as the conceptual model, the navigation model and the presentation model. We use the UML extension mechanisms, i.e. stereotypes, tagged values and OCL constraints, thereby defining a UML Profile for the Web application domain. We show how these design models can automatically be mapped to XML documents with a structure conforming to their respective XML Schema definitions. Further on we demonstrate techniques how XML documents for the conceptual model are automatically mapped to conceptual DOM objects (Document Object Model). DOM objects corresponding to interactional objects are automatically derived from conceptual DOM objects and/or other interactional DOM objects. The XSLT mechanism serves to transform the logical presentation objects representing the user interface to physical presentation objects, e.g. HTML or WAP pages. Finally we present a production system architecture for Web applications using the XML publishing framework Cocoon which provides a very flexible way to generate documents comprising XSLT and XSP (eXtensible server pages) processors.