Formal Foundation for Pattern-Based Modelling

We present a new visual and formal approach to the specification of patterns, supporting pattern analysis and pattern-based model completion. The approach is based on graphs, morphisms and operations from category theory and exploits triple graphs to annotate model elements with pattern roles. Novel in our proposal is the possibility of describing (nested) variable submodels, as well as inter-pattern synchronization across several diagrams (e.g. class and sequence diagrams for UML design patterns). We illustrate the approach on UML design patterns, and discuss its generality and applicability on different types of patterns, e.g. workflow patterns using Coloured Petri nets.