Supporting pattern-based dependability engineering via model-driven development: Approach, tool-support and empirical validation

Safety-critical systems require a high level of safety and integrity. Therefore, generating such systems involves specific software building processes. Many domains are not traditionally involved in these types of software problems and must adapt their current processes accordingly. Typically, such requirements are developed ad hoc for each system, preventing further reuse beyond the domain-specific boundaries. This paper proposes a solution for software system development based on the reuse of dedicated subsystems, i.e., so-called dependability patterns that have been pre-engineered to adapt to a specific domain. We use Model-Driven Engineering (MDE) to describe dependability patterns and a methodology for developing dependable software systems using these patterns. Moreover, we describe an operational architecture for development tools to support the approach. An empirical evaluation of the proposed approach is presented through its practical application to a case study in the railway domain, which has strong dependability requirements, to support a pattern-based development approach. This case study is followed by a survey to better understand the perceptions of practitioners regarding our approach.