Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

International Conference on Model Driven Engineering Languages and Systems

MODELS 2014: Model-Driven Engineering Languages and Systems pp 116–132Cite as

Semantic Model Differencing Utilizing Behavioral Semantics Specifications

  • Conference paper

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNPSE,volume 8767))

Abstract

Identifying differences among models is a crucial prerequisite for several development and change management tasks in model-driven engineering. The majority of existing model differencing approaches focus on revealing syntactic differences which can only approximate semantic differences among models. Significant advances in semantic model differencing have been recently made by Maoz et al [16] who propose semantic diff operators for UML class and activity diagrams. In this paper, we present a generic semantic differencing approach which can be instantiated to realize semantic diff operators for specific modeling languages. Our approach utilizes the behavioral semantics specification of the considered modeling language, which enables to execute models and capture execution traces representing the models’ semantic interpretation. Based on this semantic interpretation, semantic differences can be revealed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Alanen, M., Porres, I.: Difference and union of models. In: Stevens, P., Whittle, J., Booch, G. (eds.) UML 2003. LNCS, vol. 2863, pp. 2–17. Springer, Heidelberg (2003)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  2. Brun, C., Pierantonio, A.: Model Differences in the Eclipse Modeling Framework. UPGRADE, The European Journal for the Informatics Professional 9(2), 29–34 (2008)

    Google Scholar 

  3. Cadar, C., Sen, K.: Symbolic Execution for Software Testing: Three Decades Later. Communications of the ACM 56(2), 82–90 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Clarke, L.A.: A Program Testing System. In: Proceedings of the 1976 Annual Conference (ACM 1976), pp. 488–491. ACM (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  5. Engels, G., Hausmann, J.H., Heckel, R., Sauer, S.: Dynamic Meta Modeling: A Graphical Approach to the Operational Semantics of Behavioral Diagrams in UML. In: Evans, A., Caskurlu, B., Selic, B. (eds.) UML 2000. LNCS, vol. 1939, pp. 323–337. Springer, Heidelberg (2000)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  6. Esparza, J., Nielsen, M.: Decidability Issues for Petri Nets. Technical Report, BRICS RS948, BRICS Report Series, Department of Computer Science, University of Aarhus (1994), http://www.brics.dk

  7. Fahrenberg, U., Acher, M., Legay, A., Wąsowski, A.: Sound Merging and Differencing for Class Diagrams. In: Gnesi, S., Rensink, A. (eds.) FASE 2014. LNCS, vol. 8411, pp. 63–78. Springer, Heidelberg (2014)

    Google Scholar 

  8. Fahrenberg, U., Legay, A., Wąsowski, A.: Vision Paper: Make a Difference (Semantically). In: Whittle, J., Clark, T., Kühne, T. (eds.) MODELS 2011. LNCS, vol. 6981, pp. 490–500. Springer, Heidelberg (2011)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  9. Gerth, C., Küster, J.M., Luckey, M., Engels, G.: Precise Detection of Conflicting Change Operations Using Process Model Terms. In: Petriu, D.C., Rouquette, N., Haugen, Ø. (eds.) MODELS 2010, Part II. LNCS, vol. 6395, pp. 93–107. Springer, Heidelberg (2010)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  10. Harel, D., Rumpe, B.: Meaningful Modeling: What’s the Semantics of “Semantics”? Computer 37(10), 64–72 (2004)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Khurshid, S., Păsăreanu, C.S., Visser, W.: Generalized Symbolic Execution for Model Checking and Testing. In: Garavel, H., Hatcliff, J. (eds.) TACAS 2003. LNCS, vol. 2619, pp. 553–568. Springer, Heidelberg (2003)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  12. Kolovos, D., Rose, L., García-Domínguez, A., Paige, R.: The Epsilon Book (March 2014), https://www.eclipse.org/epsilon/doc/book/

  13. Kuhlmann, M., Hamann, L., Gogolla, M.: Extensive Validation of OCL Models by Integrating SAT Solving into USE. In: Bishop, J., Vallecillo, A. (eds.) TOOLS 2011. LNCS, vol. 6705, pp. 290–306. Springer, Heidelberg (2011)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  14. Lin, Y., Gray, J., Jouault, F.: DSMDiff: A Differentiation Tool for Domain-Specific Models. European Journal of Information Systems 16(4), 349–361 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Ma, K.-K., Yit Phang, K., Foster, J.S., Hicks, M.: Directed Symbolic Execution. In: Yahav, E. (ed.) SAS 2011. LNCS, vol. 6887, pp. 95–111. Springer, Heidelberg (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  16. Maoz, S., Ringert, J.O., Rumpe, B.: A Manifesto for Semantic Model Differencing. In: Dingel, J., Solberg, A. (eds.) MODELS 2010. LNCS, vol. 6627, pp. 194–203. Springer, Heidelberg (2011)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  17. Maoz, S., Ringert, J.O., Rumpe, B.: ADDiff: Semantic Differencing for Activity Diagrams. In: Proceedings of the 19th ACM SIGSOFT Symposium and the 13th European Conference on Foundations of Software Engineering (ESEC/FSE 2011), pp. 179–189. ACM (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  18. Maoz, S., Ringert, J.O., Rumpe, B.: CDDiff: Semantic Differencing for Class Diagrams. In: Mezini, M. (ed.) ECOOP 2011. LNCS, vol. 6813, pp. 230–254. Springer, Heidelberg (2011)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  19. Mayerhofer, T., Langer, P., Kappel, G.: A Runtime Model for fUML. In: Proceedings of the 7th Workshop on Models@run.time (MRT) co-located with the 15th International Conference on Model Driven Engineering Languages and Systems (MODELS 2012), pp. 53–58. ACM (2012)

    Google Scholar 

  20. Mayerhofer, T., Langer, P., Wimmer, M., Kappel, G.: xMOF: Executable DSMLs Based on fUML. In: Erwig, M., Paige, R.F., Van Wyk, E. (eds.) SLE 2013. LNCS, vol. 8225, pp. 56–75. Springer, Heidelberg (2013)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  21. Moliz project, http://www.modelexecution.org

  22. Muller, P.-A., Fleurey, F., Jézéquel, J.-M.: Weaving Executability into Object-Oriented Meta-languages. In: Briand, L.C., Williams, C. (eds.) MODELS 2005. LNCS, vol. 3713, pp. 264–278. Springer, Heidelberg (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  23. Object Management Group. OMG Unified Modeling Language (OMG UML), Superstructure, Version 2.4.1 (August 2011), http://www.omg.org/spec/UML/2.4.1

  24. Object Management Group. Semantics of a Foundational Subset for Executable UML Models (fUML), Version 1.0 (February 2011), http://www.omg.org/spec/FUML/1.0

  25. Ohst, D., Welle, M., Kelter, U.: Differences Between Versions of UML Diagrams. SIGSOFT Software Engineering Notes 28(5), 227–236 (2003)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Oliveira, H., Murta, L., Werner, C.: Odyssey-VCS: A Flexible Version Control System for UML Model Elements. In: Proceedings of the 12th International Workshop on Software Configuration Management (SCM 2005), pp. 1–16. ACM (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  27. Person, S., Dwyer, M.B., Elbaum, S.G., Pasareanu, C.S.: Differential Symbolic Execution. In: Proceedings of the 16th ACM SIGSOFT International Symposium on Foundations of Software Engineering (FSE 2008), pp. 226–237. ACM (2008)

    Google Scholar 

  28. Reiter, T., Altmanninger, K., Bergmayr, A., Schwinger, W., Kotsis, G.: Models in Conflict – Detection of Semantic Conflicts in Model-based Development. In: Proceedings of the 3rd International Workshop on Model-Driven Enterprise Information Systems (MDEIS) co-located with the 9th International Conference on Enterprise Information Systems (ICEIS 2007), pp. 29–40 (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  29. Sen, K.: Concolic Testing. In: Proceedings of the 22nd IEEE/ACM International Conference on Automated Software Engineering (ASE 2007), pp. 571–572. ACM (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  30. Torlak, E., Jackson, D.: Kodkod: A relational model finder. In: Grumberg, O., Huth, M. (eds.) TACAS 2007. LNCS, vol. 4424, pp. 632–647. Springer, Heidelberg (2007)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  31. Xing, Z., Stroulia, E.: UMLDiff: An Algorithm for Object-oriented Design Differencing. In: Proceedings of the 20th IEEE/ACM International Conference on Automated Software Engineering (ASE 2005), pp. 54–65. ACM (2005)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Business Informatics Group, Vienna University of Technology, Vienna, Austria

    Philip Langer, Tanja Mayerhofer & Gerti Kappel

Authors
  1. Philip Langer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Tanja Mayerhofer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Gerti Kappel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada

    Juergen Dingel

  2. Microsoft Research, Redmond, WA, USA

    Wolfram Schulte

  3. Universitat Politècnica de València, Spain

    Isidro Ramos , Silvia Abrahão  & Emilio Insfran ,  & 

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this paper

Cite this paper

Langer, P., Mayerhofer, T., Kappel, G. (2014). Semantic Model Differencing Utilizing Behavioral Semantics Specifications. In: Dingel, J., Schulte, W., Ramos, I., Abrahão, S., Insfran, E. (eds) Model-Driven Engineering Languages and Systems. MODELS 2014. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 8767. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-11653-2_8

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-11653-2_8

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-11652-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-11653-2

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation