Requirements Modeling Framework

Eclipse Requirements Modeling Framework
Stable release
0.13.0 / October 7, 2015
Operating system cross-platform
Platform Eclipse
Type Computer-aided software engineering
License Eclipse Public License
Website eclipse.org

The Requirements Modeling Framework (RMF) is an Open-Source-software framework for working with requirements based on the ReqIF standard. RMF consists of a core allowing reading, writing and manipulating ReqIF data, and a user interface allowing to inspect and edit request data.

RMF is the first and, currently, the only open source reference implementation of the ReqIF standards. Noteworthy is the fact that RMF has already been deployed in the ProStep ReqIF Implementor Forum[1] in order to ensure the interoperability of the commercial implementation. Since 2011 there have been reports in the German and in the international press about RMF.[2][3][4]

History

RMF has been in development under the name ProR since 2009 in the scope of the DEPLOY[5] research project, collaborative efforts quickly developed with the research project Verde[6] resulting in significant acceleration of development.[7] At this point, the data model is based on RIF, the predecessor of ReqIF.

In June 2011, a proposal[8] was created to transform the code into an Eclipse Foundation project. This proposal was adopted in November 2011. A part of the migration to the Eclipse Foundation was the conversion of RIF to the current version of ReqIF 1.0.1.

In the spring of 2012 DEPLOY and Verde opted out of the research projects. Nevertheless RMF keeps on evolving, within the framework of the research project Advance.[9] From Formal Mind[10] free extensions to ProR under the name ProR Essentials are developed.[11]

Until 0.9.0, there was a binary distribution available that got discontinued in favor of just providing an update site, which can be used to install ProR into an existing Eclipse installation. Alternatively, a free third-party binary distribution called formalmind Studio is available.

Functionality

The RMF core allows for storing, writing, validating and manipulating ReqIF files. The manipulation of data is implemented programmatically using EMF.

ProR additionally enables the interactive creation, inspecting and editing of ReqIF models. The requirements are then presented in configurable tables. Links between requirements can be created via Drag & Drop, or through context menus.

Integration with other tools

ProR is designed for integration with other Eclipse-based tools. There is an extension point available, which makes it possible to integrate other available renderers and editors, or to react to Drag & Drop events from outside.

As part of DEPLOY and Advance, the integration of Event-B models was developed.[12][13]

The TOPCASED -project has now, as suggested,[14] integrated RMF.

Further integrations have been proposed or implemented in a prototype.[15]

Distribution

Since the migration to the Eclipse Foundation, download statistics can be viewed by project members. In 2012, RMF has been downloaded 1400 times. The software is accessed about 200 times a month (May 2013). These statistics do not include downloads from the continuous build server.

References

  1. ↑ ReqIF Implementor Forum, ProSTEP website, accessed on May 28, 2013
  2. ↑ Michael Jastram, Andreas Graf: Requirements Modeling Framework. In: Eclipse Magazin, 6.11, 2011
  3. ↑ Michael Jastram, Mark Brörkens: ReqIF in der Open Source: Das Eclipse Requirements Modeling Framework. In: ReConf 2012
  4. ↑ Michael Jastram Christof Ebert: ReqIF: Seamless Requirements Interchange Format between Business Partners. In: IEEE Software, 2012
  5. ↑ FP7 Deploy Research Project, Homepage. Accessed on May 29, 2013
  6. ↑ itea Verde Research Project, Homepage. Accessed on May 29, 2013
  7. ↑ Michael Jastram: ProR, an Open Source Platform for Requirements Engineering based on RIF. In: SeisConf 2010
  8. ↑ RMF Proposal, Eclipse Homepage. Accessed on May 29, 2013
  9. ↑ FP7 Advance Research Project, Homepage. Accessed on May 29, 2013
  10. ↑ Formal Mind GmbH, Homepage. Accessed on May 29, 2013
  11. ↑ Michael Jastram: ReqIF-olution: Mit Eclipse und ReqIF zur Open-Source ALM-Werkzeugkette. In: ObjektSpektrum 3/2013
  12. ↑ Integration für Event-B-Modelle, Event-B Homepage. Accessed on May 29, 2013
  13. ↑ Hallerstede, Stefan; Jastram, Michael; Ladenberger, Lukas (2013). "A Method and Tool for Tracing Requirements into Specifications". Science of Computer Programming. 82: 2–21. doi:10.1016/j.scico.2013.03.008.
  14. ↑ Michael Jastram, Andreas Graf: Requirement Traceability in Topcased with the Requirements Interchange Format (RIF/ReqIF). In: First Topcased Days Toulouse, 2011
  15. ↑ Michael Jastram: The ProR Approach: Traceability of Requirements and System Descriptions. In: Inaugural-Dissertation, 2012
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