Mastering MBSE with OMG SysML and IBM Rational Rhapsody public training course

I'm pleased to announce booking is open for Rhapsody/SysML instructor-led training in conjunction with functional safety team at HORIBA MIRA on 5th - 7th December 2017. This is ideal where there is not enough people needing to be training to warrant on-site training.

Location is the MIRA Academy, near Nuneaton. See HORIBA MIRA's  website for more information.

Feedback from Rhapsody in C++ training delivery

This was my feedback from last instructor-led training on updated IBM Rhapsody in C++ Essentials for Software Engineers (4 day) training (where 5 = Strongly agree, and 1 = Strongly disagree).

... to quote "Enjoyed the course. Found it very interesting and useful" (a Senior Software Engineer).

Rhapsody Tip #27 - Controlling which Sequence Diagrams get animated (Simple)

When running simulations in IBM Rational Rhapsody, it's common for new users to end up with a proliferation of animated sequence diagrams open. This problem can compound itself each time you run. This video covers simple techniques for avoiding this situation and overviews the use of the SequenceDiagram::General::AutoLaunchAnimation property that controls this Rhapsody behavior. Also covered in the video is the DisplayMessagesToSelf property which can be used to simplify animated sequence diagrams, so they only focus on the messages between lifelines.

Latest SysMLHelperProfile released on www.executablembse.com

The latest SysMLHelperProfile is v2.1.r. I have moved information about SysMLHelper releases to www.executablembse.com. This website will cover aspects of method automation, including use of this Open Source helper to accelerate building automotive-focused system simulations using IBM Rational Rhapsody Designer or Developer Editions.

Note: The SysMLHelper follows in principle Dr Hans-Peter Hoffman's Harmony/Systems Engineering (SE) method. However, it is has tailored to make it slightly easier to adopt, particularly in an automotive context. The difference is that this helper is open-source, i.e. it can be improved and tailored by the community rather than being proprietary to IBM.

I will be presenting a paper and tutorial on this at this years INCOSE ASEC.

Updated C++ Essentials for IBM Rational Rhapsody for Software Engineers (QQ139)

I recently updated IBM's Essentials of IBM Rational Rhapsody C++ for Software Engineers (QQ139) for a later version of Rhapsody. This means that I can now deliver it with a more up to date Rhapsody version. The initial update was to 8.1.1 but later versions are possible, depending on delivery context, and I could deliver this through an IBM Global Training Partner (GTP) if needed.

This 4 day intensive "hands on" course teaches you UML and Rational Rhapsody's core Developer Edition capabilities, enabling you to rapidly develop applications using UML, placing a strong focus on Rhapsody's Object eXecution Framework for embedded real-time software. The course is focused on the C++ language using Rational Rhapsody for C++ although it does include an exercise of reverse engineering library functions in C. Using hands-on exercises that replicate ''real world'' applications, you forge a strong UML 2 and Rational Rhapsody foundation and learn how to optimally leverage automation of software development activities and artefact generation using model-driven development (MDD).

Update to my Rhapsody installation guide pptx

A lot of people fail to install Rhapsody in a way which gives them access to its ultimate power if they need it. Historically we always used to send people pptx's to set up training machines because screenshots help avoid mistakes and also because it's possible to include test steps to make sure everything worked ok. I've continued this process outside of IBM.

I've done a fresh of my installation guide on slideshare following some recent experience. The guide now covers both 8.2 and 8.2.1 and includes some additional notes on silent installation and dealing with situations where you are compelled to install for all users (i.e. ProgramData is used). The guide also covers installation of the smallest amount of Cygwin gcc compiler chain, plus comprehensive instructions on how to verify that everything is working as it should.

Installing Rational Rhapsody Designer 8.2 or 8.2.1 for Executable MBSE from Fraser Chadburn

This helps people who are installing for my training but also may help others. For example, who want to evaluate the product.

Rhapsody Tip #26 - Avoiding kinky lines, e.g., when drawing activity diagrams (Simple)

When I'm drawing a diagram in Rational Rhapsody - such as an activity diagram in SysML/UML - I often end up going back to the diagram to remove kinks in things like control or object flows. A simple technique to stop this happening is to press the Ctrl key when drawing the line. This very short 1’15’’ video illustrates. This is a simple proactive technique that means you spend less time going back to adjust lines you’ve just drawn.

This video, as it uses Rhapsody 8.2.1, also gives a quick view of the new on-diagram toolbar which also speeds things up as it reduces the need to go back to the drawing toolbar, and reminds you that there’s also a Stamp Mode that can speed up wiring up actions on an activity diagram (although I find you have to remember to turn it off).

The Rhapsody help has a full list of shortcuts:
https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/SSB2MU_8.2.1/com.ibm.rhp.reference.doc/topics/rhp_r_ref_rr_shortcuts.html