1. Challenges and directions in formalizing the semantics of modeling languagesBarrett Richard Bryant, Jeffrey G. Gray, Marjan Mernik, Peter Clarke, Robert France, Gabor Karsai, 2011, original scientific article Abstract: Developing software from models is a growing practice and there exist many model-based tools (e.g., editors, interpreters, debuggers, and simulators) forsupporting model-driven engineering. Even though these tools facilitate theautomation of software engineering tasks and activities, such tools are typically engineered manually. However, many of these tools have a common semantic foundation centered around an underlying modeling language, which would make it possible to automate their development if the modeling language specification were formalized. Even though there has been much work in formalizing programming languages, with many successful tools constructed using such formalisms, there has been little work in formalizing modeling languages for the purpose of automation. This paper discusses possible semantics-based approaches for the formalization of modeling languages and describes how this formalism may be used to automate the construction of modeling tools.
Keywords: model-based tools, modeling language, semantics
Published in DKUM: 06.07.2017; Views: 1273; Downloads: 396
 Full text (568,31 KB)
This document has many files! More... |
2. Grammar-driven generation of domain-specific language debuggersHui Wu, Jeffrey G. Gray, Marjan Mernik, 2008, original scientific article Abstract: Domain-specific languages (DSLs) assist a software developer (or end-user) in writing a program using idioms that are similar to the abstractions found in a specific problem domain. Tool support for DSLs is lacking when compared with the capabilities provided for standard general-purpose languages (GPLs), such as Java and C++. For example, support for debugging a program written in a DSLis often non-existent. The lack of a debugger at the proper abstraction level limits an end-user's ability to discover and locate faults in a DSL program. This paper describes a grammar-driven technique to build a debugging tool generation framework from existing DSL grammars. The DSL grammars are used to generate the hooks needed to interface with a supporting infrastructure constructed for an integrated development environment that assists in debugging a program written in a DSL. The contribution represents acoordinated approach to bring essential software tools (e.g. debuggers) to different types of DSLs (e.g. imperative, declarative, and hybrid). This approach hides from the end-users the accidental complexities associated with expanding the focus of a language environment to include debuggers. The research described in this paper addresses a long-term goal of empowering end-users with development tools for particular DSL problem domains at the proper level of abstraction without depending on a specific GPL.
Keywords: debugging, DSL, GPL, grammars, program environments, integrated environments
Published in DKUM: 01.06.2012; Views: 1474; Downloads: 96
 Link to full text |
3. MARS: A Metamodel Recovery System Using Grammar InferenceFaizan Javed, Marjan Mernik, Jeffrey G. Gray, Barrett Richard Bryant, 2008, original scientific article Abstract: Domain-specific modeling (DSM) assists subject matter experts in describing the essential characteristics of a problem in their domain. When a metamodel is lost, repositories of domain models can become orphaned from their defining metamodel. Within the purview of model-driven engineering, the ability to recover the design knowledge in a repository of legacy models is needed. In this paper we describe MARS, a semi-automatic grammar-centric system that leverages grammar inference techniques to solve the metamodel recovery problem. The paper also contains an applicative case study, as well as experimental results from the recovery of several metamodels in diverse domains.
Keywords: domain-specific languages, metamodeling, recovery systems, reverse engineering, re-ingineering
Published in DKUM: 01.06.2012; Views: 1798; Downloads: 113
Link to full text |
4. Application of metamodel inference with large-scale metamodelsQichao Liu, Jeffrey G. Gray, Marjan Mernik, Barrett Richard Bryant, 2012, original scientific article Keywords: model-driven engineering, reverse engineering, gramar inference, metamodel inference, model co-evolution, model transformation
Published in DKUM: 01.06.2012; Views: 1618; Downloads: 23
Link to full text |
5. Is my DSL a modeling or programming language?Yu Sun, Zekai Demirezen, Marjan Mernik, Jeffrey G. Gray, Barrett Richard Bryant, 2008, published scientific conference contribution Abstract: It is often difficult to discern the differences between programming and modeling languages. As an example, the term "domain-specific language" has been used almost interchangeably in academia and industry to represent both programming and modeling languages, which has caused subtle misconceptions. The borders between a modeling and programming language are somewhat vague and not defined crisply. This paper discusses the similarities and differences between modeling and programming languages, and offers some suggestions on how to better differentiate such languages. A list of criteria is presented for language classification, but it is suggested that a set of the criteria be used, rather than a single criterion. Several example domain-specific languages are used as case studies to motivate the discussion.
Keywords: domain-specific languages, programming languages, modeling language
Published in DKUM: 31.05.2012; Views: 1868; Downloads: 45
Link to full text |
6. Model transformations require formal semanticsYu Sun, Zekai Demirezen, Tomaž Lukman, Marjan Mernik, Jeffrey G. Gray, 2008, published scientific conference contribution Abstract: Despite the increasing interest in model-driven engineering, there are many open issues that need to be addressed to advance the technology and promote its adoption. This position paper outlines several current limitations of model transformation, with a specific emphasis on model optimization. A primary shortcoming that can be found in many model transformation approaches and tools is the lack of formal semantics to define the meaning of a modeling abstraction. This inadequacy is the source of many problems surrounding the practice of model engineering.
Keywords: domain-specific languages, program transformation, model transformation, model-driven engineering, modeling language
Published in DKUM: 31.05.2012; Views: 2177; Downloads: 41
Link to full text |
7. Using ontologies in the domain analysis of domain-specific languagesRobert Tairas, Marjan Mernik, Jeffrey G. Gray, 2008, published scientific conference contribution Abstract: The design stage of domain-specific language development, which includes domain analysis, has not received as much attention compared to the subsequentstage of language implementation. This paper investigates the use of ontology in domain analysis for the development of a domain-specific language. The standard process of ontology development is investigated as an aid to determine the pertinent information regarding the domain (e.g., the conceptualization of the domain and the common and variable elements of the domain) that should be modeled in a language for the domain. Our observations suggest that ontology assists in the initial phase of domain understanding and can be combined with further formal domain analysis methods during the development of a domain-specific language.
Keywords: domain-specific languages, programming languages, ontology, domain analysis
Published in DKUM: 31.05.2012; Views: 1688; Downloads: 152
Link to full text |
