A model-driven approach to the engineering of multiple user interfaces

In this paper, we describe MANTRA1, a model-driven approach to the development of multiple consistent user interfaces for one application. The common essence of these user interfaces is captured in an abstract UI model (AUI) which is annotated with constraints to the dialogue flow. We consider in particular how the user interface can be adapted on the AUI level by deriving and tailoring dialogue structures which take into account constraints imposed by front-end platforms or inexperienced users. With this input we use model transformations described in ATL (Atlas Transformation Language) to derive concrete, platform-specific UI models (CUI). These can be used to generate implementation code for several UI platforms including GUI applications, dynamic websites and mobile applications. The generated user interfaces are integrated with a multi tier application by referencing WSDL-based interface descriptions and communicating with the application core over web service protocols.