On Developing and Operating GLSP-based Web Modeling Tools: Lessons Learned from BIGUML

The development of web-based modeling tools still poses significant challenges for developers. The Graphical Language Server Platform (GLSP) reduced some of these challenges by providing the necessary frameworks to efficiently create web modeling tools. However, more knowledge and experience are required regarding developing GLSP-based web modeling tools. This paper discusses the challenges and lessons learned after working with GLSP and realizing several GLSP-based modeling tools. More concretely, experiences, concepts, steps to be followed to develop and operate a GLSP-based web modeling tool, and the advantages and disadvantages of working with GLSP are discussed. As a proof of concept, we will report on the realization of a GLSP-based UML editor called BIGUML. Through BIGUML, we show that our procedure and the reference architecture we developed resulted in a scalable and flexible GLSP-based web modeling tool. The lessons learned, the procedural approach, the reference architecture, and the critical reflection on the challenges and opportunities of using GLSP provide valuable insights to the community and shall ease the decision of whether or not to use GLSP for future tool development projects.