Type-Safe Model Transformation Languages as Internal DSLs in Scala

George, Lars; Wider, Arif; Scheidgen, Markus

doi:10.1007/978-3-642-30476-7_11

Cited by 16 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…For instance, FunnyQT [9] is a Clojure library providing model querying and transformation services based on in-place (mutable) transformations. Another approach is based on embedded DSLs for model transformation in Scala [6]. All these efforts use some form of mutability to achieve their goals, while we depend on a strictly immutable representation of models.…”

Section: Discussion and Related Workmentioning

confidence: 99%

Model Transformation with Immutable Data

Klint

Storm

2016

Theory and Practice of Model Transformations

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Abstract.Mainstream model transformation tools operate on graph structured models which are described by class-based meta-models. In the traditional grammarware space, transformation tools consume and produce tree structured terms, which are described by some kind of algebraic datatype or grammar. In this paper we explore a functional style of model transformation using Rascal, a meta-programming language, that seamlessly integrates functional programming, flexible static typing, and syntax-based analysis and transformation. We represent metamodels as algebraic data types (ADTs), and models as immutable values conforming to those data types. Our main contributions are (a) REFS a simple encoding and API, to deal with cross references among model elements that are represented as ADTs; (b) a mapping from models to ADTs augmented with REFS; (c) evaluation of our encoding by implementing various well-known model transformations on state machines, meta-models, and activity diagrams. Our approach can be seen as a first step towards making existing techniques and tools from the modelware domain available for reuse within Rascal, and opening up Rascal's transformation capabilities for use in model driven engineering scenarios. Model Transformation with GrammarwareThere are strong analogies between modelware and grammarware, albeit that terminology is mostly disjoint. For example, in modelware, a state machine model can be described by a model described in Ecore and Ecore itself is described using the Ecore meta-model. In grammarware, a C program can be described by a grammar of the C language written in BNF notation and BNF notation itself is described by a BNF grammar. A key difference between these domains is how models are represented. In the modeling domain models and meta-models are represented and processed as mutable graphs while immutable, tree-based, representation prevails in the grammar domain. The focus of this paper is on analyzing and bridging the impedance mismatch between these graph-based and tree-based domains. This can bring various cross fertilization benefits:• The ecosystem of models and modeling tools becomes available for the grammar-based approaches, e.g., EMF 1 (including Ecore 2 and 1 See

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Section: Discussion and Related Workmentioning

confidence: 99%

Model Transformation with Immutable Data

Klint

Storm

2016

Theory and Practice of Model Transformations

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“…George et al [18] used Scala to build a M2M transformation DSL for the EMF platform that resembles ATL. Since we use the same host language, their DSL is fully interoperable with ours, e.g.…”

Section: Eglmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Even for a simple model manipulation task users have to learn one or more new languages and tools, which may require considerable effort [11]. Users might feel limited by the more specific, but less versatile language constructs, by the language execution performance or by the provided support tools [18]. In most cases the languages build on a subset of OCL concepts for model navigation and model consistency checking.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

SIGMA: Scala Internal Domain-Specific Languages for Model Manipulations

Křikava

Collet

2014

Lecture Notes in Computer Science

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Abstract. Model manipulation environments automate model operations such as model consistency checking and model transformation. A number of external model manipulation Domain-Specific Languages (DSL) have been proposed, in particular for the Eclipse Modeling Framework (EMF). While their higher levels of abstraction result in gains in expressiveness over general-purpose languages, their limitations in versatility, performance, and tool support together with the need to learn new languages may significantly contribute to accidental complexities. In this paper, we present Sigma, a family of internal DSLs embedded in Scala for EMF model consistency checking, model-to-model and modelto-text transformations. It combines the benefits of external model manipulation DSLs with general-purpose programming taking full advantage of Scala versatility, performance and tool support. The DSLs are compared to the state-of-the-art Epsilon languages in non-trivial model manipulation tasks that resulted in 20% to 70% reduction in code size and significantly better performance.

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“…However, the advantages are more apparent, when using special model transformation languages for the implementation. For a Java-like integration of such languages with EMF-based technologies, we showed how to implement a unidirectional rule-based model transformation language as an internal DSL in the Scala pro-gramming language [16]. Using this language or another unidirectional model transformation language like ATL [17], the forward and backward transformations of refactorings could be described more concisely.…”

Section: Alternative Implementation Approachesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Refactorings in Language Development with Asymmetric Bidirectional Model Transformations

Schmidt

Wider

Scheidgen

et al. 2013

Lecture Notes in Computer Science

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Abstract. Software language descriptions comprise several heterogeneous interdependent artifacts that cover different aspects of languages (abstract syntax, notation and semantics). The dependencies between those artifacts demand the simultaneous adaptation of all artifacts when the language is changed. Changes to a language that do not change semantics are referred to as refactorings. This class of changes can be handled automatically by applying predefined types of refactorings. Refactorings are therefore considered a valuable tool for evolving a language. We present a model transformation based approach for the refactoring of software language descriptions. We use asymmetric bidirectional model transformations to synchronize the various artifacts of language descriptions with a refactoring model that contains all elements that are changed in a particular refactoring. This allows for automatic, type-safe refactorings that also includes the language tooling. We apply this approach to an Ecore, Xtext, Xtend based language description and describe the implementation of a non-trivial refactoring.

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Type-Safe Model Transformation Languages as Internal DSLs in Scala

Cited by 16 publications

References 12 publications

Model Transformation with Immutable Data

Model Transformation with Immutable Data

SIGMA: Scala Internal Domain-Specific Languages for Model Manipulations

Refactorings in Language Development with Asymmetric Bidirectional Model Transformations

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