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Model transformation

In MDE model transformations play a key role. The MDA guide [1] defines a model transformation as “the process of converting one model to another model of the same system”. Kleppe et al. [2] defines a transformation as the automatic generation of a target model from a source model, according to a transformation definition. A transformation definition is a set of transformation rules that together describe how a model in the source language can be transformed to a model in the target language. A transformation rule is a description of how one or more constructs in the source language can be transformed to one or more constructs in the target language.

In other words, a model transformation program takes as input a model conforming to a given source meta-model and produces as output another model conforming to a target meta-model. The transformation program, composed of a set of rules, should itself considered as a model. As a consequence, it is based on a corresponding meta-model, that is an abstract definition of the used transformation language.

Many languages and tools have been proposed to specify and execute transformation programs. In 2002 OMG issued the Query/View/Transformation request for proposal [3] to define a standard transformation language. Even though a final specification has been adopted at the end of 2005, the area of model transformation continues to be a subject of intense research. Over the last years, in parallel to the OMG process a number of model transformation approaches have been proposed both from academia and industry. The paradigms, constructs, modeling approaches, tool support distinguish the proposals each of them with a certain suitability for a certain set of problems.

For a classification of a today’s model transformation approaches please refer to [4, 5].


References

[1] OMG. MDA Guide version 1.0.1, 2003. OMG Document: omg/2003-06-01.

[2] A. Kleppe and J. Warmer. MDA Explained. The Model Driven Architecture: Practice and Promise. Addison-Wesley, 2003.

[3] OMG. MOF 2.0 Query/Views/Transformation RFP, 2002. OMG document ad/2002-04-10.

[4] Tom Mens and Pieter Van Gorp. A Taxonomy of Model Transformation . ENTCS2006

[5] K. Czarnecki and S. Helsen. Feature-based Survey of Model Transformation Approaches. IBM Systems J., 45(3), June 2006.