Design Methodology for Rich Web-based Applications

Dissanayake, N. 2024. Design Methodology for Rich Web-based Applications. PhD thesis University of Westminster School of Computer Science and Engineering https://doi.org/10.34737/ww439

TitleDesign Methodology for Rich Web-based Applications
TypePhD thesis
AuthorsDissanayake, N.
Abstract

Rich web-based applications (RiWAs), like Facebook or Google apps, improve user experience over regular web applications with rich GUIs similar to desktop applications and the advanced delta-communication model (DC) to communicate faster with the server-side and update the current GUI without loading a new one. The RiWAs development tools, like libraries and frameworks, have evolved over the last two decades; however, conceptual artefacts like design patterns and design methods/methodologies have not evolved to cater to the RiWAs’ specificity.

The Unified Modelling Language (UML) is the de facto standard General-Purpose Modelling Language (GPML). There are UML-based or UML-like designing languages available, like Arc42, SAP’s TAM and OOA/OOM, ArchiMate, and SysML, where some, like the C4 model, UWE, IFML, and IAML are explicitly focusing on web applications. These available languages do not address modelling all the aspects of RiWAs and exclude features like distribution of the business logic and the Application elements to the tiers and platforms, details of the processing components such as controllers, and communication granularity, including DC-related processing.

This conceptual research is scoped for browser-based 3-tier RiWAs and focuses more on structural designing, aligning with the Rich Web-based Applications Architectural style (RiWAArch style). Real-world use cases demonstrate the use and adoption of the introduced design methodology. The design methodology is evaluated by triangulating the results of formal methods: a self-evaluation utilising the use cases as proof of concept, a contextualised comparison, and domain experts’ evaluation.

The following are contributions of the research. A process for implementing a new design methodology is formulated, which can assist similar research. The study identifies the requirements for a Domain-Specific Modelling Language (DSML) for RiWAs and introduces a UML extension with new models, model-elements, and UML profiles. The new DSML introduces a new labelling format for the model-elements to include more details consistently to improve the designs’ usability. Rules and guidelines for using the new language in RiWAs design and development are also provided. Then, this research contributes a design methodology that discusses RiWAs’ design and engineering approaches based on the introduced DSML and also provides guidelines for integrating the RiWAs' design activities into an agile environment. The presented design methodology with the new DSML delivers a simple and adoptable solution (covering the aspects of comprehensiveness, learnability, readability/understandability, development support, and integrability) for the domain of RiWAs.

KeywordsRich web-based applications, software design, design methodology
Year2024
Publication dates
Published17 Jul 2024
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.34737/ww439
Web address (URL)https://westminsterresearch.westminster.ac.uk/item/ww439/design-methodology-for-rich-web-based-applications

Related outputs

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Features for a Style for Push-communication Integrated Rich Web-based Applications
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Enhance the Safety Measurements in Railways with the Aid of IoT and Image Processing
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Evolution of Push-Communication Towards the Rich Web-Based Applications
Dissanayake, N., Kasthurirathna, D. and Jayalal, S. 2020. Evolution of Push-Communication Towards the Rich Web-Based Applications. Future Technologies Conference (FTC) 2020. Vancouver, Canada 05 - 06 Nov 2020 Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-63092-8_26

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Dissanayake, N. and Dias, K. 2020. RiWAArch Style: An Architectural Style for Rich Web-Based Applications. Future Technologies Conference (FTC) 2020. Vancouver, Canada 05 - 06 Nov 2020 Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-63092-8_20

Rich Web-based Applications: An Umbrella Term with a Definition and Taxonomies for Development Techniques and Technologies
Dissanayake, N. and Dias, K. 2018. Rich Web-based Applications: An Umbrella Term with a Definition and Taxonomies for Development Techniques and Technologies. International Journal of Future Computer and Communication. 7 (1), pp. 14-20. https://doi.org/10.18178/ijfcc.2018.7.1.513

Case Study: Adopting BAW-MVC Style into Development of Browser-based Web-based Applications
Dissanayake, N. and Dias, K. 2017. Case Study: Adopting BAW-MVC Style into Development of Browser-based Web-based Applications. International Conference on Innovations in Info-business and Technology 2017. Colombo, Sri Lanka 30 Nov 2017

Delta Communication: The Power of the Rich Internet Applications
Dissanayake, N. and Dias, K. 2017. Delta Communication: The Power of the Rich Internet Applications. International Journal of Future Computer and Communication. 6 (2), pp. 31-36. https://doi.org/10.18178/ijfcc.2017.6.2.484

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Best practices for rapid application development of AJAX based rich internet applications
Dissanayake, N.R. and Dias, G.K.A. 2014. Best practices for rapid application development of AJAX based rich internet applications. 2014 14th International Conference on Advances in ICT for Emerging Regions (ICTer). Colombo, Sri Lanka 10 - 14 Dec 2014 IEEE . https://doi.org/10.1109/icter.2014.7083880

Essential Features a General AJAX Rich Internet Application Architecture Should Have in Order to Support Rapid Application Development
Nalaka, R., Dissanayake, N. and Dias, K. 2014. Essential Features a General AJAX Rich Internet Application Architecture Should Have in Order to Support Rapid Application Development. International Journal of Future Computer and Communication. 3 (5), pp. 350-353. https://doi.org/10.7763/IJFCC.2014.V3.325

An analysis of rapid application development of AJAX based Rich Internet Applications
Dissanayake, N.R., Dias, G.K.A., Jayawardena, M. and Dissanayake, N. 2013. An analysis of rapid application development of AJAX based Rich Internet Applications. 2013 International Conference on Advances in ICT for Emerging Regions (ICTer). Colombo, Sri Lanka 11 - 15 Dec 2013 IEEE . https://doi.org/10.1109/icter.2013.6761198

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