workshop on integrated application of formal languages, geneva 2003 1 j.fischer mappings, use of mof...

Workshop on Integrated Application of Formal Languages, Geneva 2003

1J.Fischer

Mappings, Use of MOF for Language Families

Joachim Fischer

Workshop on Integrated Application of Formal Languages Geneva, 13 September 2003

J.Fischer


2J.Fischer

The Problem

convenient methods to combine different specification languages

in a model-driven software development process

Clif: (1) Language integration is only be useful if there is also tool integration (2) Language integration is tool-dependent

SDLMSC

ASN.1TTCN

URNODLULF


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analysis models

design models

implementation models

deployment models

platform models

environment models

requirementmodels

diversity of modelling techniques: concept space with notation and semantics

Mod

el-b

ase

d S

oftw

are

Develo

pm

ent

requirements


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analysis models

design models

implementation models

deployment models

platform models

environment models

requirementmodels

requirementsM

od

el-b

ase

d S

oftw

are

Develo

pm

ent

Petri nets

process Bdcl i Natural, c Character;

B1

B2

B

dcl p Pid;

process B2

B2-1

B2-2

B2-3

B2

SDL...


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Kinds of Language Combinations

…in a software development process

1. switch from one development level to another UML UML SDL … requirement rough design detailed design analysis

2. decomposition of a complex system eODL SDL SDL + ASN.1 UML existing implementation

3. switch from one abstraction level to another SDL MSC


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Classic Methods of Language Combinations

1) Integration of languages to a new language

2) Translation between the languages

Problems• large effort (for each language pair a new mapping)• restrictions on expressive power by reducing the languages • right mix of concrete notations• restrictions on further modifications • large effort for adaptation of existing tools


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Models, Notations and Concept Space• Concepts

theoretical building stones for abstract models of specific problem domain – represented in special notations

• Concept space– concept collection for a complete model construction

with– relations between these concepts and – specific construction rules

• Abstraction Process– classification, exemplification– generalisation, specialisation– structuring, organisation– capsulation, information hiding– behaviour description


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Original

Concept

Notation

Concept

Notation

Original

Concept

Notation

Meta-Models

Original

Model(M1)

Original(M0)

Meta-Model(M2)

Meta-Meta-Model(M3)

~ abstract grammar

~ concrete grammar

~ ebnf


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Alternative Approach: Language Integration by Meta-modelling

• language definition in M2 layer (meta-model)– defines concepts– may be manipulated (Extension, Specialization, Structural

adaptation)

• definition of semantic separated from language notation– no coupling to „grammar technologies“– suitable (graphical) notation can be selected!– integration of languages with different notations is possible

• common meta-metamodel is a suitable way for a language integration– relations between meta-models (SDL UML), – construction of a merged meta-model (language) is possible


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Grammar versus Meta-Model

Grammar• strict and clear

association between semantics and syntactical structures

• compiler tool support for textual languages (yacc, lex)

Meta-Model• association diversity of

different notations (in particular graphical notations)

• simple and flexible possibilities for restriction and extension of the concept space

• creation support of model element repository

Combined use Structure of the concept space: abstract grammar or metamodelRelation between concept space and notation: transformation Semantics: defined for an special (example) notationNotation: concrete grammar


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SDL Language Definition

SDLAbstract machine

ASM

execution

AbstractGrammar

transf

orm

ati

on

dynamic semantics

static semantics

SDL/PR

SDL/GR

syntax

Well-formedness conditions


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SDL Language Definition (alternative)

SDLAbstract machine

ASM

execution

SDLMeta-model

transf

orm

ati

on

dynamic semantics

static semantics

SDL/PR

SDL/GR

syntax

UMLProfile

For SDL

Well-formedness conditions


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simplemeta-model

Meta-Model for SDL: The Method

syntax by bnf grammar

well- formedness byPC1

targetmeta-model

modelfragments

meta-datarepository

Constrains

Z100.F2

Open question- What is a good meta-model?


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Language Combination as combination of their concept spaces

concepts oflanguage A

concepts oflanguage B

combinedconcept space

• visually reflected by one or more existing notations (partially or complete) a combination of the concrete notations is not necessary but important: availability of methods for concept

spaces


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Language Combination as combination of their concept spaces

The way

• selection of the common concepts of the languages (common kernel, definition of reference points)

• estimation of the method to connect the

individual concept spaces with the kernel

• technical Realisation of the concept space (widely independent of available tools)


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Furtherconcepts

Furtherconcepts

Concept Space Kernel for SDL and MSC

Baseconcepts

ConceptsOf

Language A

ConceptsOf

Language B

Notation A Notation B

generalisation


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Furtherconcepts

Furtherconcepts

Concept Space Kernel for Data Types

Baseconcepts

ConceptsOf

Language A

ConceptsOf

Language B

Notation A Notation B

generalisation

Meta-model for data types

ASN.1 SDL Data types


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Basic Principles for a Concept Space API• necessary for the exchange and combination of models

• realised as (a set of)– interface definitions (CORBA or Java) – header files (C or C++)

• 1:1 relation: concepts of the language - interface

• generalisation/specialisations of concepts: by inheritance of the interfaces

• all other relations (associations, compositions, …) and attributes: by references over get and set methods


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Normative APIs for Concept Spaces

Existing APIs • for read, write and model modifications

• are unfortunately specific tothe tool and not to the language:Examples– RoseAPI (RationalRose for UML)– CMCS Client API (Cinderella API for MSC)

• Price: Tool adaptations for model / tool combination

• Solution: standardized and tool-independent approach for API Example: MOF (OMG)


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MOF - Meta Object Facility

storedmeta-model

MOF

modelling tool

MOFIDL

creation, modification…of meta-models

meta-modelas

XML document

MOFXMI

XMIfor

meta-model

IDLfor

meta-model

framework for specification, construction management, exchange integration

of meta-data

XMI defines rules to createDTDs for meta-models


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MOF – as Repository

storedmodels

Repository

storedmodels

API

Modelling tool B

read model

Modelling tool A

write model

XMIVersion

management

Repository - is the central information source for all tools- has programmatic and exchange interfaces- the access is standardised, but not implementation


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MOF – as Repository for Combined Languages

storedmodels

Repository A

Code Generator

storedA model

storedmodels

Repository B

storedB model executable

storedmodels

Repository C

storedC model

storedmodels

Repository T

storedTransformations

• more than one repository• connected by

- direct references (common kernel)- separate repository of transformation rules


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MOF Transformation Framework (MTF)

Restriction: structural transformation only

<<M (n+1)>> Source Meta-model

<<M n>>Source Model Transform

<<M 1>>Transformation Model

<<M 2>>Transfomation Meta-model

<<M (n+1)>>Target Meta-model

<<M n>>Target Model


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Conclusions

Problems with classic combination techniques • compilation and language integration (large effort,

restrictions on expressive power)

Advantage of the meta-model approach• two-dimensional description form with free correlation of

notations– suitable for languages with graphical notations

• faster technical realisation – separation from concrete syntax– creation support of model element repositories – support for meta-model transformations

Open Issues• criteria for good meta-models, efficient techniques for

transformations• research on pros and cons on meta-model approach• combination of different semantics


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Thank You !

Questions ?

workshop on integrated application of formal languages, geneva 2003 1 j.fischer mappings, use of mof...

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