A domain model in problem solving

Problem solving

Problem solving is a mental process and is part of the larger problem process that includes problem finding and problem shaping. Consideredthe most complex of all intellectual functions, problem solving has been defined as higher-order cognitive process that requires the modulation and control of...

 and software engineering

Software engineering

Software Engineering is the application of a systematic, disciplined, quantifiable approach to the development, operation, and maintenance of software, and the study of these approaches; that is, the application of engineering to software...

 can be thought of as a conceptual model of a domain of interest (often referred to as a problem domain

Problem domain

A problem domain is the area of expertise or application that needs to be examined to solve a problem. A problem domain is simply looking at only the topics you are interested in, and excluding everything else. For example, if you were developing a system trying to measure good practice in...

) which describes the various entities, their attributes, roles and relationships, plus the constraints that govern the integrity of the model elements comprising that problem domain.

Overview

The domain model is created in order to represent the vocabulary and key concepts of the problem domain. The domain model also identifies the relationships among all the entities within the scope of the problem domain, and commonly identifies their attributes. A domain model that encapsulates methods within the entities is more properly associated with object oriented models

Object-Oriented Modeling

Object-oriented modeling , also called object-oriented programming is a modeling paradigm mainly used in computer programming. Prior to the rise of OOM, the dominant paradigm was procedural programming, which emphasized the use of discrete reusable code blocks that could stand on their own, take...

. The domain model provides a structural view of the domain that can be complemented by other dynamic views, such as Use Case

Use case

In software engineering and systems engineering, a use case is a description of steps or actions between a user and a software system which leads the user towards something useful...

 models.

An important advantage of a domain model is that it describes and constrains the scope of the problem domain. The domain model can be effectively used to verify and validate the understanding of the problem domain among various stakeholders. It is especially helpful as a communication tool and a focusing point both amongst the different members of the business team as well as between the technical and business teams.

Usage

A well-thought domain model serves as a clear depiction of the conceptual fabric of the problem domain and therefore is invaluable to ensure all stakeholders are aligned in the scope and meaning of the concepts indigenous to the problem domain. A high fidelity domain model can also serve as an essential input to solution implementation within a software development cycle since the model elements comprising the problem domain can serve as key inputs to code construction, whether that construction is achieved manually or through automated code generation approaches. It is important, however, not to compromise the richness and clarity of the business meaning depicted in the domain model by expressing it directly in a form influenced by design or implementation concerns.

The domain model is one of the central artifacts in the project development approach called Feature Driven Development

Feature Driven Development

Feature-driven development is an iterative and incremental software development process. It is one of a number of Agile methods for developing software and forms part of the Agile Alliance. FDD blends a number of industry-recognized best practices into a cohesive whole. These practices are all...

 (FDD).

In UML

Unified Modeling Language

Unified Modeling Language is a standardized general-purpose modeling language in the field of object-oriented software engineering. The standard is managed, and was created, by the Object Management Group...

, a class diagram

Class diagram

In software engineering, a class diagram in the Unified Modeling Language is a type of static structure diagram that describes the structure of a system by showing the system's classes, their attributes, operations , and the relationships among the classes.- Overview :The class diagram is the main...

 is used to represent the domain model.

In Domain-driven design

Domain-driven design

Domain-driven design is an approach to developing software for complex needs by deeply connecting the implementation to an evolving model of the core business concepts...

, the domain model (Entities and Value objects) is a part of the Domain layer which often also includes other concepts such as Services. It is considered an effective model for software development.

External links

• The enterprise application pattern of domain model by Martin Fowler
  Martin Fowler
  -Online presentations:* at RailsConf 2006* at JAOO 2006* at QCon London 2007 * at QCon London 2008 * at ThoughtWorks Quarterly Technology Briefing, October 2008...
  
  
• Feature Driven Development
• Domain driven design
• Domain Modelling article
• Domain Model Pattern
• Domain Modelling using color UML by Pak-Tjun Chin