For the domain that is scoped in the context analysis, the Feature-Oriented
Domain Analysis (FODA) Domain Modeling phase identifies and models the
commonalities and differences that characterize the applications within the
domain. It provides an understanding of the applications in the domain that is
addressed by software. By systematically representing (or modeling) the
functions, objects, data, and relationships of applications in the domain,
domain modeling is used to define what the applications are, what the
applications do, and how the applications work. The activities (or analyses)
conducted during the domain modeling phase provides an understanding of the:
- features of the software in the domain
- standard vocabulary of domain experts
- documentation of the information (entities) embodied in the software
- software requirements via control flow, data flow, and other specification
techniques
The FODA Domain Modeling phase produces an domain model which consists of
three components. Each component employs a separate analytical technique to
model the interrelated components of the domain model. An
information analysis produces an
information model, a features analysis
produces a features model, and an operational
analysis produces an operational model.
The information model represents what the applications are in terms of the
entities, the features model captures what the applications do, both in terms
of operations and context, and the operational model relates the information
model and features model to the behavior and function of the applications.
The domain modeling process also produces an extensive
domain dictionary of terms and/or abbreviations
that are used in describing the features and entities in the domain model and a
textual description of the features and entities themselves.
