Dear SBSE researcher,

FYI


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First International Workshop on Combining 
Modelling with Search- and Example-Based Approaches

http://www.cs.york.ac.uk/es/cmseba/

September 28th, 29th, or 30th, 2014

MODELS 2014 satellite event
Valencia, Spain
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The first workshop on combining modelling with search- and example-based approaches will be co-located with the 2014 International Conference on Model Driven Engineering Languages and Systems (MODELS). Modelling plays a vital and pervasive role in software engineering: it provides means to manage complexity via abstraction, and enables the creation of larger, more complex systems. Search-based software engineering (SBSE) offers a productive and proven approach to software engineering through automated discovery of near-optimal solutions to problems, and has proven itself to be effective on a wide variety of problems. Example-based approaches to software engineering have synergies with search and modelling, in that examples (e.g., of models, mappings, constraints) are used to synthesise more abstract and generic descriptions. The goals of this workshop are to highlight that example-based software engineering approaches, SBSE and modelling have substantial conceptual and technical synergy, and to identify and present opportunities in which they can be combined, whilst also aiming to grow the community working in this area.

Topics of interest for the workshop include:

* Search or example-amenable representations of models
* Domain-specific search operators: Are the standard genetic operators sufficient? Do we need problem-specific operators?
* Models of techniques: Can modelling techniques be used to evaluate and compare different example-based or metaheuristic techniques?
* Metaheuristic or example-based techniques specific to modelling: Due to the complex nature of models, are current search or example-based techniques enough? Do we need new techniques that are tailored to manage the complexity of models?
* Comparisons of standard metaheuristic techniques against bespoke modelling-specific metaheuristic techniques
* Applications of search to modelling problems
* Integrations of search techniques that are enabled through the use of modelling
* Novel algorithms for search when applied to modelling formalisms
* Search techniques applied to metamodels
* Machine learning applied to modelling
* Benchmarking of examples-based techniques applied in Model-Driven Engineering
* Prediction models for modelling problems
* New MDE problems that have not been tackled by previous example-based approaches
* Learning from model repositories
* Solving case studies by applying by-example approaches
* Search techniques applied to operations on models (e.g. model transformations): Examples include white or black box testing, test case generation
* Optimising models at runtime: Can we efficiently use metaheuristic techniques to optimise models that are used during at runtime?
* Proposals of benchmark modelling case studies against which different metaheuristic techniques can be evaluated
* Tool papers related to combining examples, search and modelling
* Position statements on ways in which modelling, examples or search could be combined

IMPORTANT DATES:
Paper submission  - July 11th, 2014
Paper notification - August 8th, 2014
Workshop  - either September 28th, 29th, 30th, 2014

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:
We accept three types of paper:

* Research/technical papers of at most 10 pages,
* Position statements of at most 6 pages,
* Tool demo descriptions of at most 6 pages.

All submissions will be formally evaluated by three reviewers. Research/technical papers will be reviewed using normal scientific criteria (novelty, alignment with workshop call, evaluation, ability to generate discussion). Position statements will be evaluated in terms of likelihood of sparking heated debate/discussion at the workshop.

Papers should be submitted in Springer's LNCS format via EasyChair at https://www.easychair.org/conferences/?conf=cmseba2014. 

WORKSHOP FORMAT:
The day will begin with an invited keynote that will highlight the overlaps and gaps between modelling, search-based approaches, and example-based approaches. The paper presentations will be split over three sessions. Each technical/research paper will be given a 20 minute slot, followed by 10 minutes for questions and discussion. Position statements and tool presentations will each receive a 15 minute slot. In addition, the last afternoon session will be reserved for summary discussion of issues identified by the participants during the presentations. The workshop will close with a wrap-up discussion that will formulate the workshop's conclusions, identify open issues, and outline future directions of work.

ORGANISING COMMITTEE:
* Richard Paige, University of York, UK
* Marouane Kessentini, University of Michigan, USA
* Philip Langer, TU Vienna, Austria
* Manuel Wimmer, TU Vienna, Austria

CONTACT INFORMATION:
To contact the organisers, please email: [log in to unmask]

PROGRAM COMMITTEE:
* Mark Harman, University College London, UK
* Lionel Briand, University of Luxembourg
* Betty Cheng, Michigan State University, USA
* Iván García-Magariño, Universidad a Distancia de Madrid, Spain
* Jeff Gray, University of Alabama, USA
* Marianne Huchard, Université Montpellier 2 et CNRS, France
* Katsuro Inoue, Osaka University, Japan
* Gerti Kappel, Vienna University of Technology, Austria
* Horst Lichter, RWTH Aachen University, Germany
* Phil McMinn, University of Sheffield
* Mel Ó Cinnéide, University College Dublin, Ireland
* Ali Ouni, Université de Montréal, Canada
* Simon Poulding, Blekinge Institute of Technology, Sweden
* Houari Sahraoui, Université de Montréal, Canada
* Daniel Varro, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Hungary
* Slim Bechikh, University of Michigan, USA
* Shin Yoo, University College London, UK