Model Transformation with a Visual Control Flow Language

Authors: László Lengyel, Tihamér Levendovszky, Gergely Mezei, Hassan Charaf

Abstract:

Graph rewriting-based visual model processing is a widely used technique for model transformation. Visual model transformations often need to follow an algorithm that requires a strict control over the execution sequence of the transformation steps. Therefore, in Visual Model Processors (VMPs) the execution order of the transformation steps is crucial. This paper presents the visual control flow support of Visual Modeling and Transformation System (VMTS), which facilitates composing complex model transformations of simple transformation steps and executing them. The VMTS Visual Control Flow Language (VCFL) uses stereotyped activity diagrams to specify control flow structures and OCL constraints to choose between different control flow branches. This paper introduces VCFL, discusses its termination properties and provides an algorithm to support the termination analysis of VCFL transformations.

Keywords: Control Flow, Metamodel-Based Visual ModelTransformation, OCL, Termination Properties, UML.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI): doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1076890

References:

[1] T. Levendovszky, L. Lengyel, G. Mezei, H. Charaf, "A Systematic Approach to Metamodeling Environments and Model Transformation Systems in VMTS", ENTCS, International Workshop on Graph-Based Tools (GraBaTs) Rome, 2004.
[2] The VMTS Homepage. http://avalon.aut.bme.hu/~tihamer/research/vmts
[3] OMG UML 2.0 Specification, http://www.omg.org/uml/
[4] G. Rozenberg (ed.), "Handbook on Graph Grammars and Computing by Graph Transformation: Foundations", Vol.1 World Scientific, Singapore, 1997.
[5] OMG Object Constraint Language Specification (OCL), www.omg.org
[6] M. Fowler, UML Distilled, "A Brief Guide to the Standard Object Modeling Language", 3rd edition, Addison-Wesley, ISBN: 0321193687, 2003.
[7] L. Lengyel, T. Levendovszky, G. Mezei, B. Forstner, H. Charaf, "Metamodel-Based Model Transformation with Aspect-Oriented Constraints", International Workshop on Graph and Model Transformation, GraMoT, Tallinn, Estonia, September 28, 2005.
[8] H. Ehrig, "Introduction to the Algebraic Theory of Graph Grammars", In:Graph Grammars and Their Applications to Computer Science and Biology, Springer, Ed. V. Claus, H. Ehrig, G. Rozemberg, Berlin, 1979.
[9] H. Ehrig, M. Korff, M. Löwe, "Tutorial introduction to the algebraic approach of graph grammars based on double and single pushouts". In H. Ehrig, H.-J. Kreowski, and G. Rozenberg, editors, Proceedings of the 4th International Workshop on Graph-Grammars and Their Application to Computer Science, volume 532 of Lecture Notes in Computer Science, pages 24-37. Springer Verlag, 1991.
[10] G. Karsai, A. Agrawal, F. Shi, J. Sprinkle, "On the Use of Graph Transformation in the Formal Specification of Model Interpreters", Journal of Universal Computer Science, Special issue on Formal Specification of CBS, 2003.
[11] A. Agrawal, "A Formal Graph-Transformation Based Language for Model-to-Model Transformations", PhD Dissertation, Vanderbilt University, Dept of EECS, August, 2004.
[12] A. Sch├╝rr, A. Z├╝ndorf, "Nondeterministic Control Structures for Graph Rewriting Systems", in Proc. WG'91 Workshop in Graph- Theoretic Concepts in Computer Science, LNCS 570, Springer Verlag (1992), pp. 48-62, also: Technical Report AIB 91-17, RWTH Germany, 1991.
[13] FUJABA Homepage, http://wwwcs.upb.de/cs/fujaba/
[14] Hans J. Köhler, Ulrich A. Nickel, Jörg Niere, Albert Z├╝ndorf, "Integrating UML Diagrams for Production Control Systems", Proc. of the 22nd International Conf. on Software Engineering (ICSE) Limerick Ireland, ACM Press, 2000, pp. 241-251.
[15] D. Varr├│ and A. Pataricza, "VPM: A visual, precise and multilevel metamodeling framework for describing mathematical domains and UML", Journal of Software and Systems Modeling, 2003.
[16] J. Lara, H. Vangheluwe , M. Alfonseca, "Meta-modelling and graph grammars for multi-paradigm modelling in AToM", Software and Systems Modeling (SoSyM), 3(3):194-209, August 2004.
[17] G. Taentzer, "AGG: A Graph Transformation Environment for Modeling and Validation of Software", In J. Pfaltz, M. Nagl, and B. Boehlen (eds.), Application of Graph Transformations with Industrial Relevance (AGTIVE-03), vol. 3062. Springer LNCS, 2004.
[18] Hartmut Ehrig, Karsten Ehrig, Juan de Lara, Gabriele Taentzer, Dániel Varró and Szilvia Varró-Gyapay, "Termination Criteria for Model Transformation", LNCS, Vol. 3442: Fundamental Approaches to Software Engineering: 8th International Conference, FASE 2005, Edinburgh, UK, April 4-8, 2005, pages 49-63. Springer-Verlag, 2005.
[19] Paolo Bottoni, Manuel Koch, Francesco Parisi-Presicce, Gabriele Taentzer, "Termination of High-Level Replacement Units with Application to Model Transformation", Electr. Notes Theor. Comput. Sci. 127(4): 71-86, 2005.
[20] L. Lengyel, T. Levendovszky, H. Charaf, "Implementing an OCL Compiler for .NET", In Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on .NET Technologies, Pilsen, Czech Republic, May-June 2005, pp. 121-130.