Generative Model Transformer

The goal of the Generative Model Transformer project (GMT) is to produce a set of research tools in the area of MDSD (Model Driven Software Development). These contributions are intended to be illustrative of the variety of operations applicable to abstract models. Historically the most important operation was model transformation and this is the origin of the name of the project. Currently model transformation stays an essential operation but other model managenement facilities are also being proposed, broadering the scope of the GMT project.

The project will result in

• MDSD related research - which is encouraged and needed. Results will be factored in the project where applicable
• A set of prototypes using the Model-Driven Software Development paradigm. Each prototype tool will illustrate some kind of model management facilities.
• Any other kind of contribution that may be useful to achieve the MDSD goal of faster/more accurate/better maintainable application development. Among these contributions we may list some possibilities:
  • Use cases, for example those involving one or several of GMT contributed research tools.
  • MDSD patterns in the same spirit than classical design patterns. Of particular interest are patterns showing the possible cooperation of MDSD with other technologies like XML, AOP, etc.
  • Any kind of MDSD artefact that may be used, produced, exchanged, transformed, etc. Examples of such artefacts are: models, metamodels, transformations, etc., expressed in a variety of formats.

The tools developed by this project will be useful for those who need

• To apply MDA techniques to a specific domain (for example, order management using relational database and JSP according to enterprise-specific infrastructure standards); i.e. Software Analysts and Software Architects with expert knowledge of the target domain and/or platform.
• To develop real, deployable applications, i.e. Software Developers with average knowledge and experience of the target domain and/or programming language.
• To design domain specific languages for the purpose of significantly automating development of a product family in a specific domain; i.e. Language Designers with deep knowledge in specific vertical or horizontal domains.

GMT will provide a related set of components that can be used by other MDA tool components. The large breadth of the audience makes it necessary to define a tool architecture that is based on plug-ins and may rely on standard formats for information exchange between the tools (XML-based, XMI, etc.).

Typical research prototypes that may be found in the GMT project may be:

• A weaving facility that may combine two source models or more into one target model or more. Since there are several different ways of combining two models together for obtaining a third one, the combination itself may be defined by an additional model.
• A checking facility that takes a model as input and produce a diagnostic of how this model satisfies some verification constraints as output.
• A workflow component that may provide coordination between other MDSD tools (orchestration, etc.). More generally any solution to the general fragmentation problem arising from the usage of a huge number of different DSLs (MDSD component coordination).
• Tools that support capture, modification or application of particular DSLs like feature models.

Any component that may be combined with the previous ones, either in stream-based, service-based or event-based interconnexion mode is a potential contribution to the GMT project.