Embedding, Evolution, and Validation of Model-Driven Spreadsheets

This paper proposes and validates a model-driven software engineering technique for spreadsheets. The technique that we envision builds on the embedding of spreadsheet models under a widely used spreadsheet system. This means that we enable the creation and evolution of spreadsheet models under a spreadsheet system. More precisely, we embed ClassSheets, a visual language with a syntax similar to the one offered by common spreadsheets, that was created with the aim of specifying spreadsheets. Our embedding allows models and their conforming instances to be developed under the same environment. In practice, this convenient environment enhances evolution steps at the model level while the corresponding instance is automatically co-evolved. Finally, we have designed and conducted an empirical study with human users in order to assess our technique in production environments. The results of this study are promising and suggest that productivity gains are realizable under our model-driven spreadsheet development setting.

1 Introduction

The use of abstract models to reason about concrete artifacts has been successfully employed in science and in engineering. In fact, there are many fields for which model-driven engineering is the default, uncontested approach to follow: it is a reasonable assumption that, excluding financial or cultural limitations, no private house, let alone a bridge or a skyscraper, should be built before its model has been created and thoroughly analyzed and evolved.