Computation-Independent Model (CIM)

A Computation-Independent Model (CIM) is a high-level representation of a system's business requirements, goals, and rules without specifying any details about the system's technical implementation. It is part of the Model-Driven Architecture (MDA) approach defined by the Object Management Group (OMG), which is a software design methodology that separates the specification of system functionality from its implementation on a specific platform.

The MDA approach includes three primary models:

• Computation-Independent Model (CIM): This model represents the system's business context, capturing its requirements, constraints, and high-level processes without any technical details. The focus is on understanding the problem domain, stakeholders' needs, and business rules.

• Platform-Independent Model (PIM): This model captures the system's functional behavior, structure, and interactions without specifying any platform-specific details. The PIM represents a more detailed and technical view of the system but remains independent of any specific implementation technology.

• Platform-Specific Model (PSM): This model maps the platform-independent model to a specific technology platform, such as a programming language, middleware, or hardware architecture. The PSM includes all the details necessary for implementing the system on the chosen platform.

The primary purpose of a Computation-Independent Model (CIM) is to provide a clear understanding of the business context and requirements that drive the system's development. It allows stakeholders to focus on the problem domain and reach a consensus on the system's goals and rules before diving into technical details and implementation concerns.

Key benefits of using a Computation-Independent Model (CIM) include:

• Improved communication: CIMs facilitate communication between stakeholders, such as business analysts, domain experts, and developers, by providing a common language and understanding of the problem domain.

• Early validation of requirements: Creating a CIM enables stakeholders to validate and refine requirements early in the development process, reducing the risk of misunderstandings and costly changes later on.

• Easier maintenance and evolution: By separating business requirements from technical implementation, CIMs make it easier to adapt and maintain the system as business needs evolve or new technologies become available.

• Enhanced reusability: CIMs can serve as reusable assets for similar projects or systems, allowing organizations to leverage their domain knowledge and expertise across multiple projects.

In summary, a Computation-Independent Model (CIM) is a high-level representation of a system's business requirements and context, focusing on the problem domain without specifying any technical implementation details. It is a crucial part of the Model-Driven Architecture approach, promoting improved communication, early validation of requirements, easier maintenance, and enhanced reusability in software development projects.