Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Lessons learned from building model-driven development tools

  • Expert's Voice
  • Published:
Software & Systems Modeling Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Tools to support modelling in system and software engineering are widespread, and have reached a degree of maturity where their use and availability are accepted. Tools to support model-driven development (MDD)—where models are manipulated and managed throughout the system/software engineering lifecycle—have, over the last 10 years, seen much research and development attention. Over the last 10 years, we have had significant experience in the design, development and deployment of MDD tools in practical settings. In this paper, we distill some of the important lessons we have learned in developing and deploying two MDD tools: Epsilon and VIATRA. In doing so, we aim to identify some of the key principles of developing successful MDD tools, as well as some hints of the pitfalls and risks.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Acceleo. http://www.eclipse.org/acceleo/ (2011)

  2. Agrawal A., Karsai G., Neema S., Shi F., Vizhanyo A.: The design of a language for model transformations. Softw. Syst. Model. 5(3), 261–288 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Amelunxen, C., Klar, F., Königs, A., Rötschke, T., Schürr, A.: Metamodel-based tool integration with MOFLON. In: Proceedings of the 30th International Conference on Software Engineering, ICSE ’08, pp. 807–810. ACM, New York (2008)

  4. Balogh, A., Bergmann, G., Csertán, G., Gönczy, L., Horváth, Á., Majzik, I., Pataricza, A., Polgár, B., Ráth, I., Varró, D., Varró, G.: Workflow-driven tool integration using model transformations. In: Engels, G., Lewerentz, C., Schäfer, W., Schürr, A., Westfechtel, B. (eds.) Graph Transformations and Model-Driven Engineering—Essays Dedicated to Manfred Nagl on the Occasion of his 65th Birthday. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol. 5765, pp. 224–248. Springer, Berlin (2010)

  5. Balogh, A., Varró, D.: Advanced model transformation language constructs in the VIATRA2 framework. In: ACM Symposium on Applied Computing—Model Transformation Track (SAC 2006), pp. 1280–1287. ACM Press, Dijon (2006)

  6. Bergmann, G., Horváth, Á., Ráth, I., Varró, D.: A benchmark evaluation of incremental pattern matching in graph transformation. In: Ehrig, H., Heckel, R., Rozenberg, G., Taentzer, G. (eds.) Proceedings of 4th International Conference on Graph Transformations, ICGT 2008. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol. 5214, pp. 396–410. Springer, Berlin (2008)

  7. Bergmann, G., Horváth, Á., Ráth, I., Varró, D.: Efficient model transformations by combining pattern matching strategies. In: Paige, R.F., (ed.) Theory and Practice of Model Transformations. Second International Conference, ICMT 2009, Zurich, Switzerland, June 29–30, 2009, Proceedings. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol. 5563, pp. 20–34. Springer, Berlin (2009)

  8. Bergmann, G., Horváth, Á., Ráth, I., Varró, D.: Incremental evaluation of model queries over EMF models: A tutorial on emf-incquery. In: France, R.B., Küster, J.M., Bordbar, B., Paige, R.F. (eds.) Proceedings of ECMFA 2011: Modelling Foundations and Applications—7th European Conference. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol. 6698, pp. 389–390. Springer, Berlin (2011)

  9. Bergmann, G., Horváth, Á., Ráth, I., Varró, D., Balogh, A., Balogh, Z., Ökrös, A.: Incremental evaluation of model queries over EMF models. In: Petriu, D.C., Rouquette, N., Haugen, Ø. (eds.) Model Driven Engineering Languages and Systems—13th International Conference, MODELS 2010, Oslo, Norway, October 3–8, 2010, Proceedings, Part I. LNCS, vol. 6394, pp. 76–90. Springer, Berlin (2010)

  10. Bergmann, G., Ráth, I., Varró, G., Varró, D.: Change-driven model transformations: Change (in) the rule to rule the change. Softw. Syst. Model. (2011)

  11. Bergmann, G., Ujhelyi, Z., Ráth I., Varró, D.: A graph query language for EMF models. In: Cabot, J., Visser, E. (eds.) Proceedings of International Conference on Model Transformation. LNCS. Springer, Berlin, Acceptance rate: 27 % (2011)

  12. Bondavalli A., Dal Cin M., Latella D., Majzik I., Pataricza A., Savoia G.: Dependability analysis in the early phases of UML based system design. Int. J. Comput. Syst. Sci. Eng. 16(5), 265–275 (2001)

    Google Scholar 

  13. Burmester S., Giese H., Niere J., Tichy M., Wadsack J.P., Wagner R., Wendehals L., Zündorf A.: Tool integration at the meta-model level: the Fujaba approach. Softw. Tools Technol. Transf. 6(3), 203–218 (2004)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Csertán, G., Huszerl, G., Majzik, I., Pap, Z., Pataricza, A., Varró D.: VIATRA: Visual automated transformations for formal verification and validation of UML models. In: Richardson, J., Emmerich, W., Wile, D. (eds.) Proceedings of ASE 2002: 17th IEEE International Conference on Automated Software Engineering, pp. 267–270. IEEE Press, Edinburgh, 23–27 September 2002

  15. Lara J., Vangheluwe H., Alfonseca M.: Meta-modelling and graph grammars for multi-paradigm modelling in atom3. Softw. Syst. Model. 3(3), 194–209 (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  16. Epsilon. http://www.eclipse.org/gmt/epsilon/ (2010)

  17. Gönczy, L., Déri Z., Varró D.: Model transformations for performability analysis of service configurations. In: Chaudron, M.R.V. (ed.) Models in Software Engineering, Workshops and Symposia at MODELS 2008, Toulouse, France, September 28–October 3, 2008. Reports and Revised Selected Papers. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol. 5421, pp. 153–166. Springer, Berlin (2008)

  18. Hegedüs, A., Horváth, A., Ráth, I., Varró, D.: A model-driven framework for guided design space exploration. In: Proceedings of ASE 2011: 26th IEEE/ACM International Conference on Automated Software Engineering. IEEE Computer Society, New York (2011, in press)

  19. Herzner, W., Huber, B., Csertán, G., Balogh, A.: The DECOS tool-chain: Model-based development of distibuted embedded safety-critical real-time systems. In: Proceedings of the DECOS/ERCIM Workshop at SAFECOMP 2006, pp. 22–24. ERCIM (2006)

  20. Horváth, A., Varró, D.: Dynamic constraint satisfaction problems over models. Softw. Syst. Model (2011)

  21. Horváth, Á., Varró, D., Schoofs, T.: Model-driven development of ARINC 653 configuration tables. In: 29th IEEE & AIAA Digital Avionics System Conference (DASC), Salt Lake City, US, 10/2010, pp. 5.A.5-1–5.A.5-115. IEEE, New York (2010)

  22. Horváth, Á., Varró, D., Varró, G.: Generic search plans for matching advanced graph patterns. Electron. Commun. EASST 6 (2007)

  23. Jouault, F., Allilaire, F., Bézivin J., Kurtev I., Valduriez P.: Atl: a qvt-like transformation language. In: OOPSLA Companion, pp. 719–720 (2006)

  24. Kolovos, D.S., Paige, R.F., Polack, F. Merging models with the Epsilon Merging Language (EML). In: MoDELS, pp. 215–229 (2006)

  25. Kolovos, D.S., Paige, R.F., Polack, F.A.: Model comparison: a foundation for model composition and model transformation testing. In: Proceedings of GaMMa, pp. 13–20. ACM, New York (2006)

  26. Kolovos, D.S., Paige, R.F., Polack, F.A.: The Epsilon Object Language (EOL). In: Rensink, A., Warmer, J. (eds.) ECMDA-FA. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol. 4066, pp. 128–142. Springer, Berlin (2006)

  27. Kolovos, D.S., Paige, R.F., Polack F.A.: The Epsilon Transformation Language. In: Proceedings of 1st International Conference on Model Transformation, ICMT, Zurich, Switzerland (2008)

  28. Kolovos, D.S., Paige, R.F., Polack F.A.C.: On the evolution of OCL for capturing structural constraints in modelling languages. In: Rigorous Methods for Software Construction and Analysis, pp. 204–218 (2009)

  29. Muller, P.-A., Fleurey, F., Jézéquel, J.-M.: Weaving executability into object-oriented meta-languages. In: MoDELS, pp. 264–278 (2005)

  30. Paige, R.F., Kolovos, D.S., Rose, L.M., Drivalos, N., Polack, F.A.C.: The design of a conceptual framework and technical infrastructure for model management language engineering. In: ICECCS, pp. 162–171 (2009)

  31. Ráth, I., Bergmann, G., Ökrös, A., Varró, D.: Live model transformations driven by incremental pattern matching. In: Vallecillo, A., Gray, J., Pierantonio, A. (eds.) Proceedings of First International Conference on the Theory and Practice of Model Transformations (ICMT 2008). Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol. 5063, pp. 107–121. Springer, Berlin (2008)

  32. Ráth I., Ökrös A., Varró D.: Synchronization of abstract and concrete syntax in domain-specific modeling languages. Softw. Syst. Model. 9(4), 453–471 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Ráth, I., Vago, D., Varró, D.: Design-time simulation of domain-specific models by incremental pattern matching. In: IEEE Symposium on Visual Languages and Human-Centric Computing, VL/HCC 2008, Herrsching am Ammersee, Germany, 15–19 September 2008, Proceedings. pp. 219–222. IEEE, New York (2008)

  34. Rose, L.M., Kolovos, D.S., Drivalos, N., Williams, J.R., Paige, R.F., Polack, F.A.C., Fernandes K.J.: Concordance: A framework for managing model integrity. In: ECMFA, pp. 245–260 (2010)

  35. Rose, L.M., Kolovos, D.S., Paige, R.F., Polack, F.A.C.: Model migration with Epsilon Flock. In: ICMT, pp. 184–198 (2010)

  36. Rose, L.M., Paige, R.F., Kolovos, D.S., Polack, F.A.: The Epsilon Generation Language. In: Proceedings of ECMDA. LNCS, Springer, Berlin (2008)

  37. Schoitsch, E., Althammer, E., Eriksson, H., Vinter, J., Gönczy, L., Pataricza, A., Csertán G.: Validation and certification of safety-critical embedded systems—the decos test bench. In: Górski, J. (ed.) Computer Safety, Reliability, and Security, 25th International Conference, SAFECOMP 2006, Gdansk, Poland, September 27–29, 2006, Proceedings. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol. 4166, pp. 372–385. Springer, Berlin (2006)

  38. Varró D., Balogh A.: The model transformation language of the VIATRA2 framework. Sci. Comput. Program. 68(3), 214–234 (2007)

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  39. Varró D., Pataricza A.: VPM: A visual, precise and multilevel metamodeling framework for describing mathematical domains and UML. Softw. Syst. Model. 2(3), 187–210 (2003)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Varró, G., Varró, D., Friedl, K.: Adaptive graph pattern matching for model transformations using model-sensitive search plans. In: Karsai, G., Taentzer, G. (eds.) GraMot 2005, International Workshop on Graph and Model Transformations. ENTCS, vol. 152, pp. 191–205. Elsevier, Amsterdam (2006)

  41. VIATRA2 Framework. http://www.eclipse.org/gmt/VIATRA2

  42. xText 2.1. http://www.eclipse.org/Xtext/ (2011)

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Computer Science, University of York, York, UK

    Richard F. Paige

  2. Department of Measurement and Information Systems, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Budapest, Hungary

    Dániel Varró

Authors
  1. Richard F. Paige
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Dániel Varró
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Richard F. Paige.

Additional information

Communicated by Prof. Jon Whittle and Gregor Engels.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Paige, R.F., Varró, D. Lessons learned from building model-driven development tools. Softw Syst Model 11, 527–539 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10270-012-0257-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10270-012-0257-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation