Leveraging Patterns on Domain Models to Improve UML Profile Definition
Building a reliable UML profile is a difficult activity that requires the use of complex mechanisms -stereotypes and their attributes, OCL enforcement- to define a domain-specific modeling language (DSML ). Despite the ever increasing number of profiles b
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T, Gif-sur-Yvette, F-91191, France {francois.lagarde, huascar.espinoza, francois.terrier, sebastien.gerard}@cea.fr 2 I3S Laboratory, BP 121, 06903 Sophia Antipolis C´edex, France [email protected]
Abstract. Building a reliable UML profile is a difficult activity that requires the use of complex mechanisms -stereotypes and their attributes, OCL enforcement- to define a domain-specific modeling language (DSML). Despite the ever increasing number of profiles being built in many domains, there is a little published literature available to help DSML designers. Without a clear design process, most such profiles are inaccurate and jeopardize subsequent model transformations or model analyses. We believe that a suitable approach to building UML based domain specific languages should include systematic transformation of domain representations into profiles. This article therefore proposes a clearly-defined process geared to helping the designer throughout this design activity. Starting from the conceptual domain model, we identify a set of design patterns for which we detail several profile implementations. We illustrate our approach by creating a simplified profile that depicts elements belonging to a real-time system domain. The prototype tool supporting our approach is also described.
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Introduction
Over the last few decades, domain-specific languages (DSLs) have proven efficient for mastering the complexities of software development projects. The natural adaptation of DSLs to the model-driven technologies has in turn established domain-specific modeling languages (DSMLs) as vital tools for enhancing design productivity. A widespread approach to the design of a DSML is to make use of the so-called profile mechanisms and to reuse the UML [1] metamodel as the base language. By extending UML elements with stereotypes and their attributes, it is possible to define new concepts to better represent elements of a domain. Despite the ever-increasing number of profiles defined and successfully applied in many applications (Object Management Group (OMG) [2] has adopted thirteen profiles J. Fiadeiro and P. Inverardi (Eds.): FASE 2008, LNCS 4961, pp. 116–130, 2008. c Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2008
Leveraging Patterns on Domain Models to Improve UML Profile Definition
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covering a wide range of modeling domains), building a reliable profile is still an obscure process with very little literature available to help designers. A study of the currently adopted profiles reveals two existing profile design methods. The first is a one-stage process: the profile is directly created to support concepts belonging to the targeted domain. This method has been adopted for instance by SysML [3] profile designers. The main drawback of such an approach is to narrow down the design space to the implementation level. A second, more methodical process involves two stages. Stage one is intended to define the conceptual constructs required to cover a specific domain. The product of this stage is usually called the conceptual domain model. In stage two, this artif
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