Engineering bidirectional transformations

Bidirectional transformations, like software, need to be carefully engineered in order to provide guarantees about their correctness, completeness, acceptability and usability. This paper summarises a collection of lectures pertaining to engineering bidirectional transformations using Model-Driven Engineering techniques and technologies. It focuses on stages of a typical engineering lifecycle, starting with requirements and progressing to implementation and verification. It summarises Model-Driven Engineering approaches to capturing requirements, architectures and designs for bidirectional transformations, and suggests an approach for verification as well. It concludes by describing some challenges for future research into engineering bidirectional transformations

Refining Models with Rule-based Model Transformations

Several model-to-model transformation languages have been primarily designed to easily address the syntactic and semantic translation of read-only input models towards write-only output models. While this approach has been proven successful in many practical cases, it is not directly applicable to transformations that need to modify their source models, like refactorings. In this paper we investigate the application of a model-to-model transformation language to in-place transformations, by providing a systematic view of the problem, comparing alternative solutions and proposing a transformation semantics to address this problem in ATL

Saying Hello World with Epsilon - A Solution to the 2011 Instructive Case

Epsilon is an extensible platform of integrated and task-specific languages for model management. With solutions to the 2011 TTC Hello World case, this paper demonstrates some of the key features of the Epsilon Object Language (an extension and reworking of OCL), which is at the core of Epsilon. In addition, the paper introduces several of the task-specific languages provided by Epsilon including the Epsilon Generation Language (for model-to-text transformation), the Epsilon Validation Language (for model validation) and Epsilon Flock (for model migration).Comment: In Proceedings TTC 2011, arXiv:1111.440

Establishing and Maintaining Semantically Rich Traceability: A Metamodelling Approach

This thesis addresses the problem of model-to-model traceability in Model Driven Engineering (MDE). A MDE process typically involves models ex- pressed in different modelling languages that capture different views of the system under development. To enhance automation, consistency and co- herency, establishing and maintaining semantically rich traceability links between models used throughout the software development lifecycle is of paramount importance. This thesis deals with the various challenges associated with providing traceability support in the context of MDE by defining a domain-specific, model-based traceability approach, which supports the main traceability ac- tivities in a rigorous and semi-automatic manner. To evaluate the validity of the thesis proposition, a reference implementation has been provided. The results obtained from the application of the proposed approach to various case-studies and examples have confirmed the feasibility and benefits of such an approach

Engineering scalable modelling Languages

Tesis doctoral inédita leída en la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Escuela Politécnica Superior, Departamento de Ingeniería Informática. Fecha de lectura: 08-11-2019Esta tesis tiene embargado el acceso al texto completo hasta el 08-05-2021Model-Driven Engineering (MDE) aims at reducing the cost of system development by raising the level of abstraction at which developers work. MDE-based solutions frequently involve the creation of Domain-Specific Modelling Languages (DSMLs). WhilethedefinitionofDSMLsandtheir(sometimesgraphical)supportingenvironments are recurring activities in MDE, they are mostly developed ad-hoc from scratch. The construction of these environments requires high expertise by developers, which currently need to spend large efforts for their construction. This thesis focusses on the development of scalable modelling environments for DSMLs based on patterns. For this purpose, we propose a catalogue of modularity patterns that can be used to extend a modelling language with services related to modularization and scalability. More specifically, these patterns allows defining model fragmentation strategies, scoping and visibility rules, model indexing services, and scoped constraints. Once the patterns have been applied to the meta-model of a modelling language, we synthesize a customized modelling environment enriched with the defined services, which become applicable to both existing monolithic legacy models and new models. A second contribution of this thesis is a set of concepts and technologies to facilitate the creation of graphical editors. For this purpose, we define heuristics which identify structures in the DSML abstract syntax, and automatically assign their diagram representation. Using this approach, developers can create a graphical representation by default from a meta-model, which later can be customised. These contributions have been implemented in two Eclipse plug-ins called EMFSplitter and EMF-Stencil. On one hand, EMF-Splitter implements the catalogue of modularity patterns and, on the other hand, EMF-Stencil supports the heuristics and the generation of a graphical modelling environment. Both tools were evaluated in different case studies to prove their versatility, efficiency, and capabilitieEl Desarrollo de Software Dirigido por Modelos (MDE, por sus siglas en inglés) tiene como objetivo reducir los costes en el desarrollo de aplicaciones, elevando el nivel de abstracciónconelqueactualmentetrabajanlosdesarrolladores. Lassolucionesbasadas en MDE frecuentemente involucran la creación de Lenguajes de Modelado de Dominio Específico (DSML, por sus siglas en inglés). Aunque la definición de los DSMLs y sus entornos gráficos de modelado son actividades recurrentes en MDE, actualmente en la mayoría de los casos se desarrollan ad-hoc desde cero. La construcción de estos entornos requiere una alta experiencia por parte de los desarrolladores, que deben realizar un gran esfuerzo para construirlos. Esta tesis se centra en el desarrollo de entornos de modelado escalables para DSML basados en patrones. Para ello, se propone un catálogo de patrones de modularidad que se pueden utilizar para extender un lenguaje de modelado con servicios relacionados con la modularización y la escalabilidad. Específicamente, los patrones permiten definir estrategias de fragmentación de modelos, reglas de alcance y visibilidad, servicios de indexación de modelos y restricciones de alcance. Una vez que los patrones se han aplicado al meta-modelo de un lenguaje de modelado, se puede generar automáticamente un entorno de modelado personalizado enriquecido con los servicios definidos, que se vuelven aplicables tanto a los modelos monolíticos existentes, como a los nuevos modelos. Una segunda contribución de esta tesis es la propuesta de conceptos y tecnologías para facilitar la creación de editores gráficos. Para ello, definimos heurísticas que identifican estructuras en la sintaxis abstracta de los DSMLs y asignan automáticamente su representación en el diagrama. Usando este enfoque, los desarrolladores pueden crear una representación gráfica por defecto a partir de un meta-modelo. Estas contribuciones se implementaron en dos plug-ins de Eclipse llamados EMFSplitter y EMF-Stencil. Por un lado, EMF-Splitter implementa el catálogo de patrones y, por otro lado, EMF-Stencil implementa las heurísticas y la generación de un entorno de modelado gráfico. Ambas herramientas se han evaluado con diferentes casos de estudio para demostrar su versatilidad, eficiencia y capacidade

A Modelling Approach to Multi-Domain Traceability

Traceability is an important concern in projects that span different engineering domains. Traceability can also be mandated, exploited and man- aged across the engineering lifecycle, and may involve defining connections between heterogeneous models. As a result, traceability can be considered to be multi-domain. This thesis introduces the concept and challenges of multi-domain trace- ability and explains how it can be used to support typical traceability scenarios. It proposes a model-based approach to develop a traceability solution which effectively operates across multiple engineering domains. The approach introduced a collection of tasks and structures which address the identified challenges for a traceability solution in multi-domain projects. The proposed approach demonstrates that modelling principles and MDE techniques can help to address current challenges and consequently improve the effectiveness of a multi-domain traceability solution. A prototype of the required tooling to support the approach is implemented with EMF and atop Epsilon; it consists of an implementation of the proposed structures (models) and model management operations to sup- port traceability. Moreover, the approach is illustrated in the context of two safety-critical projects where multi-domain traceability is required to underpin certification arguments

A multilayered model for REST applications

Representational State Transfer (REST) web services rapidly increased their importance in the last years. Nowadays a lot of services use this architectural style to benefit from the advantages and characteristics of a RESTful system. To call a web service REST compliant several constraints have to be fulfilled by software developers. The compliance of these guidelines is often not ensured even though many services call themselves RESTful. By applying Model Driven Software Development aspects to the design of REST applications a system was developed to decrease the effort which is needed to follow those constraints and reduce the time it takes to design and implement a REST web service. The process involves the modeling and editing of several abstract models which act as an input for a code generator that creates a JAX-RS web service. The models are defined by using the Eclipse Modeling Framework (EMF) with additions for graphical modeling. Since the current outcome of the existing prototype is not completely REST compliant certain improvements have to be made. This thesis reveals flaws during the modeling process in several meta models and in their transformations. It states enhancements how to improve and ease the process as well as increasing the quality and REST compliance of the generated outcome. To verifiy an improved state of the software a show case is used as a reference throughout the document. Finally the applied changes to the approach and the system structure are realized and demonstrated regarding this show case

Using Workflows to Automate Activities in MDE Tools

Le génie logiciel a pour but de créer des outils logiciels qui permettent de résoudre des problèmes particuliers d’une façon facile et efficace. À cet égard, l’ingénierie dirigée par les modèles (IDM), facilite la création d’outils logiciels, en modélisant et transformant systématiquement des modèles. À cette fin, l’IDM s’appuie sur des workbenches de langage : des environnements de développement intégré (IDE) pour modéliser des langages, concevoir des modèles, les exécuter et les vérifier. Mais l’utilisation des outils est loin d’être efficace. Les activités de l’IDM typiques, telles que la création d’un langage de domaine dédié ou créer une transformation de modèles, sont des activités complexes qui exigent des opérations souvent répétitives. Par conséquent, le temps de développement augmentate inutilement. Le but de ce mémoire est de proposer une approche qui augmente la productivité des modélisateurs dans leurs activités quotidiennes en automatisant le plus possible les tâches à faire dans les outils IDM. Je propose une solution utilisant l’IDM où l’utilisateur définit un flux de travail qui peut être paramétré lors de l’exécution. Cette solution est implémentée dans un IDE pour la modélisation graphique. À l’aide de deux évaluations empiriques, je montre que la productivité des utilisateurs est augmentée et amééliorée.Software engineering aims to create software tools that allow people to solve particular problems in an easy and efficient way. In this regard, Model-driven engineering (MDE) enables to generate software tools, by systematically modeling and transforming models. In order to do this, MDE relies on language workbenches: Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for engineering modeling languages, designing models executing them and verifying them. However, the usability of these tools is far from efficient. Common MDE activities, such as creating a domain-specific language or developing a model transformation, are nontrivial and often require repetitive tasks. This results in unnecessary risings of development time. The goal of this thesis is to increase the productivity of modelers in their daily activities by automating the tasks performed in current MDE tools. I propose an MDE-based solution where the user defines a reusable workflow that can be parameterized at run-time and executed. This solution is implemented in an IDE for graphical modeling. I also performed two empirical evaluations in which the users’ productivity is improved

Quality Assurance of Software Models - A Structured Quality Assurance Process Supported by a Flexible Tool Environment in the Eclipse Modeling Project

The paradigm of model-based software development (MBSD) has become more and more popular since it promises an increase in the efficiency and quality of software development. In this paradigm, software models play an increasingly important role and software quality and quality assurance consequently leads back to the quality and quality assurance of the involved models. The fundamental aim of this thesis is the definition of a structured syntax-oriented process for quality assurance of software models that can be adapted to project-specific and domain-specific needs. It is structured into two sub-processes: a process for the specification of project-specific model quality assurance techniques, and a process for applying them on concrete software models within a MBSD project. The approach concentrates on quality aspects to be checked on the abstract model syntax and is based on quality assurance techniques model metrics, smells, and refactorings well-known from literature. So far, these techniques are mostly considered in isolation only and therefore the proposed process integrates them in order to perform model quality assurance more systematically. Three example cases performing the process serve as proof-of-concept implementations and show its applicability, its flexibility, and hence its usefulness. Related to several issues concerning model quality assurance minor contributions of this thesis are (1) the definition of a quality model for model quality that consists of high-level quality attributes and low-level characteristics, (2) overviews on metrics, smells, and refactorings for UML class models including structured descriptions of each technique, and (3) an approach for composite model refactoring that concentrates on the specification of refactoring composition. Since manually reviewing models is time consuming and error prone, several tasks of the proposed process should consequently be automated. As a further main contribution, this thesis presents a flexible tool environment for model quality assurance which is based on the Eclipse Modeling Framework (EMF), a common open source technology in model-based software development. The tool set is part of the Eclipse Modeling Project (EMP) and belongs to the Eclipse incubation project EMF Refactor which is available under the Eclipse public license (EPL). The EMF Refactor framework supports both the model designer and the model reviewer by obtaining metrics reports, by checking for potential model deficiencies (called model smells) and by systematically restructuring models using refactorings. The functionality of EMF Refactor is integrated into standard tree-based EMF instance editors, graphical GMF-based editors as used by Papyrus UML, and textual editors provided by Xtext. Several experiments and studies show the suitability of the tools for supporting the techniques of the structured syntax-oriented model quality assurance process