Models

Models are abstract representations of some aspects of the real world.

One example: Niels Bohr's atom model. We know that it is not a perfect representation of the world, but it reduces the complexity and is a good way to understand chemical reactions.

Three different abstraction levels.

1. Models of requirements
2. System models
3. Models of components
   (Focus on software)

We see these two areas, as the areas where models are most lacking.

• System architecture models
• System behavior models
• Models aimed at simulation
• Models aimed at verification
• Models intended for conformance testing and test generation
• Models intended for performance evaluation
• Models as documentation
• HW/SW codesign