A graphical variant approach to object-oriented modeling of dynamic systems

Graphical variant modeling refers to a novel approach to object-oriented modeling whereby a class overrides behavior inherited from a parent class by specifying variations in the graphical description of that behavior. This approach differs from conventional approaches wherein object behavior is overridden by replacing the entire description. This paper outlines the potential benefits of graphical variant modeling. It provides a detailed description of an experimental modeler, based on a declarative block diagram language, developed as a test bench for prototyping graphical variant modeling tools and verifying the benefits of the approach in industrial modeling applications. The paper ends with some preliminary conclusions about the potential benefits of graphical variant modeling based on the development and initial usage of the experimental modeler. Keywords—Object-Oriented Modeling; Polymorphism; Inheritance; System Dynamics; Simulation Software Engineering; Embedded Systems; Physical Systems Modeling