Gestion de métadonnées utilisant tissage et transformation de modèles

The interaction and interoperability between different data sources is a major concern in many organizations. The different formats of data, APIs, and architectures increases the incompatibilities, in a way that interoperability and interaction between components becomes a very difficult task. Model driven engineering (MDE) is a paradigm that enables diminishing interoperability problems by considering every entity as a model. MDE platforms are composed of different kinds of models. Some of the most important kinds of models are transformation models, which are used to define fixed operations between different models. In addition to fixed transformation operations, there are other kinds of interactions and relationships between models. A complete MDE solution must be capable of handling different kinds of relationships. Until now, most research has concentrated on studying transformation languages. This means additional efforts must be undertaken to study these relationships and their implications on a MDE platform. This thesis studies different forms of relationships between models elements. We show through extensive related work that the major limitation of current solutions is the lack of genericity, extensibility and adaptability. We present a generic MDE solution for relationship management called model weaving. Model weaving proposes to capture different kinds of relationships between model elements in a weaving model. A weaving model conforms to extensions of a core weaving metamodel that supports basic relationship management. After proposing the unification of the conceptual foundations related to model weaving, we show how weaving models and transformation models are used as a generic approach for data interoperability. The weaving models are used to produce model transformations. Moreover, we present an adaptive framework for creating weaving models in a semi-automatic way. We validate our approach by developing a generic and adaptive tool called ATLAS Model Weaver (AMW), and by implementing several use cases from different application scenarios.L'interaction et l'interopérabilité entre différentes sources de données sont une préoccupation majeure dans plusieurs organisations. Ce problème devient plus important encore avec la multitude de formats de données, APIs et architectures existants. L'ingénierie dirigée par modèles (IDM) est un paradigme relativement nouveau qui permet de diminuer ces problèmes d'interopérabilité. L'IDM considère toutes les entités d'un système comme un modèle. Les plateformes IDM sont composées par des types de modèles différents. Les modèles de transformation sont des acteurs majeurs de cette approche. Ils sont utilisés pour définir des opérations entre modèles. Par contre, il y existe d'autres types d'interactions qui sont définies sur la base des liens. Une solution d'IDM complète doit supporter des différents types de liens. Les recherches en IDM se sont centrées dans l'étude des transformations de modèles. Par conséquence, il y a beaucoup de travail concernant différents types des liens, ainsi que leurs implications dans une plateforme IDM. Cette thèse étudie des formes différentes de liens entre les éléments de modèles différents. Je montre, à partir d'une étude des nombreux travaux existants, que le point le plus critique de ces solutions est le manque de généricité, extensibilité et adaptabilité. Ensuite, je présente une solution d'IDM générique pour la gestion des liens entre les éléments de modèles. La solution s'appelle le tissage de modèles. Le tissage de modèles propose l'utilisation de modèles de tissage pour capturer des types différents de liens. Un modèle de tissage est conforme à un métamodèle noyau de tissage. J'introduis un ensemble des définitions pour les modèles de tissage et concepts liés. Ensuite, je montre comment les modèles de tissage et modèles de transformations sont une solution générique pour différents problèmes d'interopérabilité des données. Les modèles de tissage sont utilisés pour générer des modèles de transformations. Ensuite, je présente un outil adaptive et générique pour la création de modèles de tissage. L'approche sera validée en implémentant un outil de tissage appel

Transformation As Search

In model-driven engineering, model transformations are con- sidered a key element to generate and maintain consistency between re- lated models. Rule-based approaches have become a mature technology and are widely used in different application domains. However, in var- ious scenarios, these solutions still suffer from a number of limitations that stem from their injective and deterministic nature. This article pro- poses an original approach, based on non-deterministic constraint-based search engines, to define and execute bidirectional model transforma- tions and synchronizations from single specifications. Since these solely rely on basic existing modeling concepts, it does not require the intro- duction of a dedicated language. We first describe and formally define this model operation, called transformation as search, then describe a proof-of-concept implementation and discuss experiments on a reference use case in software engineering

Transforming Very Large Models in the Cloud: a Research Roadmap

International audienceModel transformations are widely used by Model-Driven Engineering (MDE) platforms to apply different kinds of operations over models, such as model translation, evolution or composition. However, existing solutions are not designed to handle very large models (VLMs), thus facing scalability issues. Coupling MDE with cloud-based platforms may help solving these issues. Since cloud-based platforms are relatively new, researchers still need to investigate if/how/when MDE solutions can benefit from them. In this paper, we investigate the problem of transforming VLMs in the Cloud by addressing the two phases of 1) model storage and 2) model transformation execution in the Cloud. For both aspects we identify a set of research questions, possible solutions and probable challenges researchers may face

A generic approach to model generation operations

Model generation operations are important artifacts in MDE applications. These approaches can be used for model verification, model finding, and others. In many scenarios, model transformations can as well be represented by a model generation operation. This often comes with the advantage of being bidi- rectional and supporting increments. However, most part of model generation approaches do not target several operation kinds, but narrower scenarios by mapping the generation problem into solver specific problems. They are efficient, but often don’t have a supporting framework. In this paper, we present an approach and framework that allows to specify and to execute model operations that can be represented in terms of model generation operations. We first introduce a model search layer that can be used with different solvers. We illustrate this layer with a driving example implemented using Alloy/SAT solver. On top of this, we introduce a transformation layer, which specification are translated into the model search layer, independently from any solver. The solution is natively bidirectional, incremental and it is not restricted to one-and-one scenarios. The approach is illustrated by two use cases and with 3 different scenarios, backed by a full, extensible and free implementation

Industrial-strength Rule Interoperability using Model Driven Engineering

Model Driven Engineering (MDE) is rapidly maturing and is being deployed in several situations. We report here on an experiment conducted in the context of ILOG, a leader in the development of Business Rule Management Systems (BRMS). BRMSs aim at enabling business users automating their business policies. There is a growing number of BRMS supporting different languages, but also a lack of tools for bridging them. In this paper, we present an approach based on MDE techniques for bridging rule languages; the solution has been fully implemented and tested on different BRMS. The success of the experiment has led to the development of a significant number of model transformations. At the same time, this deployment has shown new problems arising from the management of a high number of artifacts. We discuss the positive assessment of MDE in this field, but also the need to address the complexity generated

Normalisation of imprecise temporal expressions extracted from text

Information extraction systems and techniques have been largely used to deal with the increasing amount of unstructured data available nowadays. Time is among the different kinds of information that may be extracted from such unstructured data sources, including text documents. However, the inability to correctly identify and extract temporal information from text makes it difficult to understand how the extracted events are organised in a chronological order. Furthermore, in many situations, the meaning of temporal expressions (timexes) is imprecise, such as in “less than 2 years” and “several weeks”, and cannot be accurately normalised, leading to interpretation errors. Although there are some approaches that enable representing imprecise timexes, they are not designed to be applied to specific scenarios and difficult to generalise. This paper presents a novel methodology to analyse and normalise imprecise temporal expressions by representing temporal imprecision in the form of membership functions, based on human interpretation of time in two different languages (Portuguese and English). Each resulting model is a generalisation of probability distributions in the form of trapezoidal and hexagonal fuzzy membership functions. We use an adapted F1-score to guide the choice of the best models for each kind of imprecise timex and a weighted F1-score (F1 3 D ) as a complementary metric in order to identify relevant differences when comparing two normalisation models. We apply the proposed methodology for three distinct classes of imprecise timexes, and the resulting models give distinct insights in the way each kind of temporal expression is interpreted

Une approche de MDE pour la résolution de problèmes de configuration : Une application à la plate-forme Eclipse

Finding the right configuration is often a challenging task since one needs to deal with many dependencies between plug-ins and most of existing configuration engines are not flexible enough to work in different scenarios. In this paper we propose a MDE-based approach to solve configuration problems, considering them as constraints satisfaction problems. This approach has been applied by an industrial partner to the management of plug-ins in the Eclipse framework, a big issue for all the technolNational audienceLa recherche de la bonne configuration est souvent une tâche complexe nécessitant la gestion des nombreuses dépendances entre plug-ins. D'autant plus que la plupart des moteurs de configuration existants n'ont pas la flexibilité nécessaire permettant de s'adapter à différents scénarios. Dans cet article, nous proposons une approche fondée sur l'IDM permettant la résolution de problèmes de configuration, en les représentant comme des problèmes de satisfaction de contraintes. Un de nos partenaires industriels a utilisé cette approche pour la gestion des plug-ins dans le cadre d'Eclipse. Cette gestion est considérée comme un problème important pour tous les fournisseurs de solutions basées sur Eclipse

INRIA-ATLAS Response to the MDA Tool Capabilities OMG RFI

Proposition of answer from the INRIA-ATLAS team to the OMG Request For Information named "MDA Tool Capabilities"In the past years, the INRIA ATLAS Group has been building an MDA tool bench named AMMA (ATLAS Model Management Architecture). The present discusses the main characteristics and overall vision of this platform in the context of the OMG MDA Tool Capabilities RFI. In the following pages, we will provide an overall description of what MDA tool capabilities means for the ATLAS Group. We will show, within this response, how our overall Model-Driven Engineering (MDE) vision and implemented platform bring answers to the different RFI questions. We will also highlight the various MDA tool-specific needs and requirements we have already identified, even though some are not yet fully addressed by the current version of our platform.In a more organizational point of view, we have tried to follow as much as possible the logical sequence of the RFI proposed questions; however in many cases we have answered several questions at once. Our goal is not to answer exhaustively all the questions but more to cover all the different requirement areas

Gestion de métadonnées utilisant tissage et transformation de modèles

The interaction and interoperability between different data sources is a major concern in many organizations. The different formats of data, APIs, and architectures increases the incompatibilities, in a way that interoperability and interaction between components becomes a very difficult task. Model driven engineering (MDE) is a paradigm that enables diminishing interoperability problems by considering every entity as a model. MDE platforms are composed of different kinds of models. Some of the most important kinds of models are transformation models, which are used to define fixed operations between different models. In addition to fixed transformation operations, there are other kinds of interactions and relationships between models. A complete MDE solution must be capable of handling different kinds of relationships. Until now, most research has concentrated on studying transformation languages. This means additional efforts must be undertaken to study these relationships and their implications on a MDE platform. This thesis studies different forms of relationships between models elements. We show through extensive related work that the major limitation of current solutions is the lack of genericity, extensibility and adaptability. We present a generic MDE solution for relationship management called model weaving. Model weaving proposes to capture different kinds of relationships between model elements in a weaving model. A weaving model conforms to extensions of a core weaving metamodel that supports basic relationship management. After proposing the unification of the conceptual foundations related to model weaving, we show how weaving models and transformation models are used as a generic approach for data interoperability. The weaving models are used to produce model transformations. Moreover, we present an adaptive framework for creating weaving models in a semi-automatic way. We validate our approach by developing a generic and adaptive tool called ATLAS Model Weaver (AMW), and by implementing several use cases from different application scenarios.L'interaction et l'interopérabilité entre différentes sources de données sont une préoccupation majeure dans plusieurs organisations. Ce problème devient plus important encore avec la multitude de formats de données, APIs et architectures existants. L'ingénierie dirigée par modèles (IDM) est un paradigme relativement nouveau qui permet de diminuer ces problèmes d'interopérabilité. L'IDM considère toutes les entités d'un système comme un modèle. Les plateformes IDM sont composées par des types de modèles différents. Les modèles de transformation sont des acteurs majeurs de cette approche. Ils sont utilisés pour définir des opérations entre modèles. Par contre, il y existe d'autres types d'interactions qui sont définies sur la base des liens. Une solution d'IDM complète doit supporter des différents types de liens. Les recherches en IDM se sont centrées dans l'étude des transformations de modèles. Par conséquence, il y a beaucoup de travail concernant différents types des liens, ainsi que leurs implications dans une plateforme IDM. Cette thèse étudie des formes différentes de liens entre les éléments de modèles différents. Je montre, à partir d'une étude des nombreux travaux existants, que le point le plus critique de ces solutions est le manque de généricité, extensibilité et adaptabilité. Ensuite, je présente une solution d'IDM générique pour la gestion des liens entre les éléments de modèles. La solution s'appelle le tissage de modèles. Le tissage de modèles propose l'utilisation de modèles de tissage pour capturer des types différents de liens. Un modèle de tissage est conforme à un métamodèle noyau de tissage. J'introduis un ensemble des définitions pour les modèles de tissage et concepts liés. Ensuite, je montre comment les modèles de tissage et modèles de transformations sont une solution générique pour différents problèmes d'interopérabilité des données. Les modèles de tissage sont utilisés pour générer des modèles de transformations. Ensuite, je présente un outil adaptive et générique pour la création de modèles de tissage. L'approche sera validée en implémentant un outil de tissage appel