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Formalizing the structural semantics of domain-specific modeling languages

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Abstract

Model-based approaches to system design are now widespread and successful. These approaches make extensive use of model structure to describe systems using domain-specific abstractions, to specify and implement model transformations, and to analyze structural properties of models. In spite of its general importance the structural semantics of modeling languages are not well-understood. In this paper we develop the formal foundations for the structural semantics of domain-specific modeling languages (DSML), including the mechanisms by which metamodels specify the structural semantics of DSMLs. Additionally, we show how our formalization can complement existing tools, and how it yields algorithms for the analysis of DSMLs and model transformations.

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  1. Foundations of Software Engineering, Microsoft Research, Redmond, WA, USA

    Ethan Jackson

  2. Institute for Software Integrated Systems, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, USA

    Janos Sztipanovits

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Correspondence to Ethan Jackson.

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Communicated by Prof. Thomas Kühne.

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Jackson, E., Sztipanovits, J. Formalizing the structural semantics of domain-specific modeling languages. Softw Syst Model 8, 451–478 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10270-008-0105-0

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