Highlights► Detection of applications of composite operations in evolving software models. ► Automatic generation of detection rules from executable operation specifications. ► Real-world study showing that 70% of all applied composite operations can be detected. ► Performance analysis showing that detection algorithm scales well for large models.
Domain-Specific Modeling Languages (DSMLs) are getting more and more attention as a key element of Model Driven Engineering. As any other software artifact, DSMLs should continuously evolve to adapt to the changing needs of the domain they represent. Unfortunately, right now evolution of DSMLs is a costly process that requires changing the DSML metamodel and re-creating the complete modeling environment.In this paper we advocate for the use of EMF Profiles, an adaptation of the UML Profile concept to DSMLs. Profiles have been a key enabler for the success of UML by providing a lightweight language-inherent extension mechanism which is expressive enough to cover an important subset of extension scenarios. We believe a similar concept for DSMLs would provide a valuable extension mechanism which has been so far neglected by current metamodeling tools. Apart from direct metamodel profiles, we also propose reusable profile definition mechanisms whereby profiles are defined independently of any DSML and, later on, coupled with all DSMLs that can benefit from these profiles. Our approach has been implemented in a prototype integrated in the EMF environment.
Abstract. Predefined composite operations are handy for efficient modeling, e.g., for the automatic execution of refactorings, and for the introduction of patterns in existing models. Some modeling environments provide an initial set of basic refactoring operations, but hardly offer any extension points for the user. Even if extension points exist, the introduction of new composite operations requires programming skills and deep knowledge of the respective metamodel. In this paper, we introduce a method for specifying composite operations within the user's modeling language and environment of choice. The user models the composite operation by-example, which enables the semi-automatic derivation of a generic composite operation specification. This specification may be used in further modeling scenarios, like model refactoring and model versioning. We implemented the approach in the Operation Recorder and performed an evaluation by defining multiple complex refactorings for UML diagrams.
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