Solving the TTC 2011 Model Migration Case with UML-RSDS

In this paper we apply the UML-RSDS notation and tools to the GMF model migration case study and explain how to use the UML-RSDS tools.Comment: In Proceedings TTC 2011, arXiv:1111.440

Evaluation of Model Transformation Approaches for Model Refactoring

This paper provides a systematic evaluation framework for comparing model transformation approaches, based upon the ISO/IEC 9126-1 quality characteristics for software systems. We apply this framework to compare five transformation approaches (QVT-R, ATL, Kermeta, UMLRSDS and GrGen.NET) on a complex model refactoring case study: the amalgamation of apparent attribute clones in a class diagram. The case study highlights the problems with the specification and design of the refactoring category of model transformations, and provides a challenging example by which model transformation languages and approaches can be compared. We take into account a wide range of evaluation criteria aspects such as correctness, efficiency, flexibility, interoperability, reusability and robustness, which have not been comprehensively covered by other comparative surveys of transformation approaches. The results show clear distinctions between the capabilities and suitabilities of different approaches to address the refactoring form of transformation problem

A local and global tour on MOMoT

Many model transformation scenarios require flexible execution strategies as they should produce models with the highest possible quality. At the same time, transformation problems often span a very large search space with respect to possible transformation results. Recently, different proposals for finding good transformation results without enumerating the complete search space have been proposed by using meta-heuristic search algorithms. However, determining the impact of the different kinds of search algorithms, such as local search or global search, on the transformation results is still an open research topic. In this paper, we present an extension to MOMoT, which is a search-based model transformation tool, for supporting not only global searchers for model transformation orchestrations, but also local ones. This leads to a model transformation framework that allows as the first of its kind multi-objective local and global search. By this, the advantages and disadvantages of global and local search for model transformation orchestration can be evaluated. This is done in a case-study-based evaluation, which compares different performance aspects of the local- and global-search algorithms available in MOMoT. Several interesting conclusions have been drawn from the evaluation: (1) local-search algorithms perform reasonable well with respect to both the search exploration and the execution time for small input models, (2) for bigger input models, their execution time can be similar to those of global-search algorithms, but global-search algorithms tend to outperform local-search algorithms in terms of search exploration, (3) evolutionary algorithms show limitations in situations where single changes of the solution can have a significant impact on the solution’s fitness.Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad TIN2015-70560-RJunta de Andalucía P12-TIC-186

Coupled Transformations of Graph Structures applied to Model Migration

Model-Driven Engineering (MDE) is a relatively new paradigm in software engineering that pursues the goal to master the increased complexity of modern software products. While software applications have been developed for a specific platform in the past, today they are targeting various platforms and devices from classical desktop PCs to smart phones. In addition, they interact with other applications. To easier cope with these new requirements, software applications are specified in MDE at a high abstraction level in so called models prior to their implementation. Afterward, model transformations are used to automate recurring development tasks as well as to generate software artifacts for different runtime environments. Thereby, software artifacts are not necessarily files containing program code, they can also cover configuration files as well as machine readable input for model checking tools. However, MDE does not only address software engineering problems, it also raises new challenges. One of these new challenges is connected to the specification of modeling languages, which are used to create models. The creation of a modeling language is a creative process that requires several iterations similar to the creation of models. New requirements as well as a better understanding of the application domain result in an evolution of modeling languages over time. Models developed in an earlier version of a modeling language often needs to be co-adopted (migrated) to language changes. This migration should be automated, as migrating models manually is time consuming and error-prone. While application modelers use ad-hoc solutions to migrate their models, there is still a lack of theory to ensure well-defined migration results. This work contributes to a formalization of modeling language evolution with corresponding model migration on the basis of algebraic graph transformations that have successfully been used earlier as theoretical foundations of model transformation. The goal of this research is to develop a theory that considers the problem of modeling language evolution with corresponding model migration on a conceptual level, independent of a specific modeling framework