On model integration and integration modelling - Introduction to the subject area integration modelling

Integration is a necessary activity in each software development process. Within a model-based approach also the models that are used must be integrated. Model integration has two dimensions: On the one hand, the model components that result from the decomposition of the system under consideration have to be put together. On the other hand, different views onto the system are distinguished and modelled separately in order to decrease the complexity of the development process; the according models also must be brought together again. Integration models are meta-level definitions of model integration methods. Ideally they can be instantiated with arbitrary kinds of models and modelling languages, which then yields an integration method for these models. In this introduction integration modelling is put into perspective; integration models are presented in the following contributions.