Mapping UML to XML: A Method for Teaching an Object-Oriented Approach to E-Business Development
Jack T. Marchewka, ChangLiu
XML (extensible Markup Language) has been gaining notoriety and interest in electronic business applications. As a result, XML has become an increasingly popular topic in academia in order to better prepare students for their chosen careers. Recently, the authors worked closely with a team of four students developing an XML-based application for John Deere in Moline, Illinois. Although the students were able to learn XML code with relative ease, the real challenge occurred when they tried to apply this technology to an electronic business application. By using several tools associated with the Unified Modeling Language (UML), the students were able to develop a conceptual model that aided the students' understanding and provided a seamless application of this technology. Using a conceptual model for development and design provided a better real world abstraction, improved communication and understanding, and resulted in less rework, errors, and inefficiencies. This paper describes how the UML use case model and class diagrams can seamlessly aid an XML-based electronic business application. The experiences of this team provide a basis for action research that should be ofparticular interest to academics teaching system analysis and design-based courses and to organizations interested in developing XML-based applications.
Jack T. Marchewka is an associate professor and the Barsema Professor of Management Information Systems at Northern Illinois University's College of Business. In addition, he is director of the Business Information Technology Center (BITTC). Dr. Marchewka holds a BS in management from SUNY at Buffalo, an MBA from Syracuse University, and a PhD in MIS from Georgia State University. His primary teaching and research interests focus on information management technology project management, electronic commerce, and knowledge management. Dr. Marchewka's research has been published in International ResourcesManagement Journal, Information Technology and People, Journal of International and Information Management, Journal of Computer Information Systems, Systems Development Management, and the Mid-American Journal of Business.
Chang Liu is an assistant professor of management information systems at Northern Illinois University's College of Business. He received a DBA form Mississippi State University in 1997. Dr. Liu's research and teaching interests focus on electronic commerce and database management . systems. His research has previously been published in Information and Management, Journal of Computer Information Systems, Electronic Markets: The International Journal oflilectrontc Commerce andBusiness Media, and the Mid-American Journal ofBusiness.
Return to the Table of Contents