A graphical variant approach to object-oriented modeling of dynamic systems
Paul Kinnucan, Pieter J. Mosterman · 2007
Abstract — Graphical variant modeling refers to a novel ap-proach to object-oriented modeling whereby a class over-rides behavior inherited from a parent class by specifying variations in the graphical description of that behavior. This approach differs from conventional approaches wherein ob-ject behavior is overridden by replacing the entire descrip-tion. This paper outlines the potential benefits of graphical variant modeling. It provides a detailed description of an ex-perimental modeler, based on a declarative block diagram language, developed as a test bench for prototyping graph-ical variant modeling tools and verifying the benefits of the approach in industrial modeling applications. The paper ends with some preliminary conclusions about the potential benefits of graphical variant modeling based on the devel-opment and initial usage of the experimental modeler.