From Ontology to Semantic Web Service via Model-Driven System Development

Abstract

In this paper we propose a model-driven approach by which developers can make use of existing ontology knowledge to help construct a partial implementation of semantic web services on related domains. The idea is to use existing formal ontologies for an application domain as the basis of requirement and system analysis. Our system then transforms these ontologies into platform neutral models conforming to the EMF metamodel, which, after additional refinements, can be used to construct platform dependent web service models as well as a partial implementation by following the typical MDA process with supporting tools. Finally, developers need only fulfill the lacked service logic and a complete web service can be obtained. In addition to providing and integrating supporting tools, the main contribution of our system is to leverage ontology for rapid construction of software systems and, especially, semantic web services.