A framework for the development of graphical mathematical software tools for systems modeling

A methodology is proposed for the development of computer-assisted tools for graphical mathematical modeling using a structured procedure. The goal is to define the steps for constructing software for graphical symbol manipulation in mathematical modeling in such a way that every step can be formally supervised. This method has already been applied to the definition of a technique, a mixed form of system dynamics and qualitative simulation, in a way that diminishes to a minimum the knowledge required for computer programming. Several areas of knowledge are involved: system modeling using various modeling techniques; a mathematical theory for testing the correctness of mathematical models; and software engineering and graph grammars which support the steps for constructing the software tool