Some Problems of Current Modelling Languages that Obstruct to Obtain Models as Instruments

Abstract

In this paper we reflect on the usefulness of current modelling languages. We defend that objects elaborated with such languages are instruments that pursue one or several typi ed purposes, which include: (1) to represent knowledge about some subject, whether real or imaginary; (2) to help in understanding and in answering questions about the properties of some subject; and (3) to stimulate the engineer's creativity in solving some problem. We reason that achieving this instrumental role in modelling languages is a necessary condition for a Model-Driven Software Engineering. However, studying several languages of common use in practice, we claim that there are at least four problem categories that obstruct that useful models as instruments can be elaborated with current modelling languages.