Model-Based Development (MBD)

Welcome to Oyindamola Olajubu who has recently joined the Department of Computing and Immersive Technology, University of Northampton as a PhD researcher on a collaborative project  with GE Aviation Systems on Model-Based software development. A summary of the project can be found below.

Project Description

Model-Based Development (MBD) is seeing widespread adoption in a variety of domains within industry, especially in aviation. Industries around the world are reporting significant benefits from its use. However, the extent to which MBD can be used effectively in the software development lifecycle is unclear.

GE Aviation Systems primarily uses natural language (textual ‘shall’ statements) to express software requirements. These textual statements are often ambiguous, untestable, incorrect, missing detail, etc. Finding this out late in the development lifecycle proves very expensive. To this end, GE Aviation Systems has turned to MBD. They still use textual statements to express software requirements, but they supplement the requirements writing activity with modelling and simulation so that engineers gain a better understanding of the requirements and their faults. The models can then be refined and improved and serve as the Software Design artifacts that are used to auto-generate code. Currently, this means they have to write tests manually to test the design against the requirements. The study will investigate whether they could use models to express requirements and use those models to auto-generate test cases for testing the design model. This would then increase their productivity. To summarise, the research project will study the feasibility of model based tool support to capture requirements and automate requirements based testing.

Supervisors
Dr Suraj Ajit
Dr Mark Johnson
Dr Scott Turner

investigation into emerging Web development technologies

Recent work by a BSc Computing student, University of Northampton - Simon Patis.

An investigation into emerging Web development technologies

Simon Patis

Abstract

With an increasing number of internet enabled devices becoming available on the market the websites we create are being viewed in a different way, this is not necessarily the desired result as the dimensions and overall layout of the created site can be juxtaposed when viewed on an alternative resolution.

Although there are media queries that have been built into current CSS styling to display different views based upon the screen used it still operates within a constraint of fixed widths. Using techniques like responsive web design will address one of the ways that indicates how the public can benefit from the jump to HTML5 from HTML4 generated sites. Within this document an investigation has been developed to explore the differences between current web standards and the emerging potential of a HTML5 web standard.

During the investigation a relative association will be made to emerging hardware that delivers more opportunities for users of any skill set to get involved with software development. The tool used in this example will be the credit card sized Raspberry Pi, which in this instance has been constructed to act as a personal web server.

Using a comparative analysis of various software examples built in current web standards from the knowledge gained over the previous 3 years and emerging HTML5 techniques the results will illuminate possible reasons why HTML5 will inevitably be considered as the next evolution of web standard.

Computing Courses

BSc and HND Computing Provision (click on the links below for more details of the courses)

• BEng/MEng Computing (Computer Networks Engineering)
• BEng/MEng Computing (Computer Systems Engineering) 

• BSc (Hons) Computing (also available part-time)
• BSc (Hons) Computing (Graphics and Visualisation)
• BSc (Hons) Computing (Internet Technology and Security)
• BSc (Hons) Computing (Mobile Computing)
• BSc (Hons) Computing (Software Engineering)
• BSc (Hons) Computing - One Year Top-Up 
• BSc  Computer Games Development
• HND Computing (Compute​r Net​works Engineering)
• HND Computing (Computer Systems Engineering)
• HND Computing (Graphics and Visualisation)
• HND Computing (Internet Tech​nolog​y and Security)
• HND Computing (Mobile Computing)
• HND Computing (Software Engine​ering) 
• HND Com​puting

The University of Northampton's, Department of Computing and Immersive Technologies offers five courses within the MSc Computing postgraduate provision (shown below) all available either part-time or full-time. 

• MSc Computing
• MSc Computing (Internet Technology and Security)
• MSc Computing (Computer Networks Engineering)
• MSc Computing (Software Engineering)
• MSc Computing (Immersive Technologies)

The contents are the opinion of the author(s) and not necessarily the view of the University of Northampton.

Games Courses in Northampton

The School of Science and Technology and the School of the Arts have collaborated to produce three new games courses.

• ·         BSc (Hons) Creative Games Development 
• ·         BSc (Hons)  Computer Games Development
• ·         HND Computer Games Development

The programmes are due to commence in September 2012. 

BSc (Hons)/HND  Computer Games Development



The programme is designed to meet the need for the computing professional and thus has a high degree of vocational relevance.   


It aims: 

•  To provide an up to date programme in the field of computer games development; relevant and responsive to the needs of industry and commerce; 
•  To develop the student’s interpersonal and problem solving skills, together with the ability to undertake sustained academic activity both independently and in groups;  
•  To inform students of current best practice within the institution's developing computer games development field and give an appreciation of likely future developments 
•  Understand the requirements of appropriate computer games development professional institutions and the importance of continuing professional development. 
• To provide an in-depth knowledge of software and hardware aspects involved in contemporary computer systems engineering;  
• To equip students with skills and knowledge to enable them to embark on a range of careers, in the field of computer games development, or allied professions. Also to provide appropriate lifelong skills and the ability to cope with change.

Northamptonshire’s application software creators

Re-blogged from The Chronicle and Echo on 31/12/2011: http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/features/the_chron_finds_out_more_about_northamptonshire_s_application_software_creators_1_3378231

The Chron caught up with a few of the county’s own app creators.

The award for digital excellence goes to...Northamptonshire

The winner of the 2011  Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) Local Public Services Award for Digital Excellence went to Northamptonshire County Council's My County Council . . .anywhere

CIPR said "...This customer focused project set clear and ambitious objectives, using creative marketing and implementation strategies to encourage uptake of newly developed mobile web browser and phone apps. With a relatively modest budget, targeted marketing and a carefully staged approach, the council has exceeded its initial targets, demonstrating cost savings and generating positive feedback from its customers." http://www.cipr.co.uk/content/events-awards/local-public-services/local-public-services-awards/results

The phone apps for the project (both Android and iPhone apps) were developed within the School of Science and Technology, University of Northampton as part of a strategic partnership between the university and Northamptonshire County Council.

More details on these free to download apps can be found at:

Android: http://computingnorthampton.blogspot.com/2011/07/northamptonshire-android-app-launched.html

iPhone: http://computingnorthampton.blogspot.com/2011/05/northamptonshire-iphone-app-exceeds.html

Northamptonshire iPhone app exceeds 2000 downloads

As of 25th May 2011 the free to download 'My county council anywhere!' developed by the University of Northampton for  Northamptonshire Council iPhone App has exceeded 2000 downloads.

The iPhone app incorporates popular services and online information. For example: 

• Keep up to date with the 
• latest  county council news 
• consultations 
• jobs 
• Need more information about term dates or school closures? 
• If you enable your phones location services turned on their are further benefits of the app such as details and maps of: 

• Find your nearest Libraries  
• Recycling Centres  
• Country Parks  
• Registration Offices  
• Bus Times -  the 5 nearest bus stops to your current location and the times of the next buses to those stops.  
• A School Directory – by distance (postcode) or school name, school term dates and school closures 

To download the app visit the apple store and type in Northamptonshire or NCC or vist the itunes website by following this link http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/ncc-northamptonshire/id432288976?mt=8.