SYSML-UML Like Modeling Environment Based on Google Blockly Customization

In industries, it is often observed that system designers may not be CS/OO/SysML experts and often required lot of training and support to use the modeling tools. Ideally, designers should spend all their effort on modeling and nothing else. However, existing modeling tools have lot of issues related to installation and plug-ins. The use of Google Blockly was envisaged for use of modeling and simulation of systems. Blockly is a visual programming library, used to model/program using interlocked blocks (Figure 3.1). Each of the blocks also support traditional input widgets such as labels, images, textbox, checkbox, combo box, etc. It can be configured in such a way that only compatible blocks can be connected together (i.e. can be made “valid by design”). Blockly supports code and XML generation, and requires only a modern web browser which can be run on any device or operating system. However, Blockly was not readily useable for modeling SysML/UML like models. A lot of changes and customizations were made in Blockly to make it more suitable for such type of modeling.