An architecture for developing service-oriented and component-based environmental models

The concepts and methodology of an architecture for developing agro-environmental models based on reusable components are presented. Unified Modeling Language (UML) is used to specify the system model and components at a high level of abstraction. UML interfaces are used to define the behavior of components which can be implemented using standard object-oriented programming languages such as Java. Distributed components can be created using Common Object Broker Architecture (CORBA), Remote Method Invocation (RMI), or Web Services technologies, which enable components at different geographic locations to communicate. Using a component-based approach facilitates reusability and sharing of accumulated knowledge among different development teams. Using a distributed approach provides the flexibility of developing, deploying, and maintaining models at many different locations. The Kraalingen crop model is presented as an example, including its implementation based on Java components and RMI middleware technology, to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed approach. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.