Isomorphism in model tools and editors
by George Edwards, Yuriy Brun, Nenad Medvidovic
Abstract:
Domain-specific languages (DSLs) are modeling languages that are customized for a specific context or project. DSLs allow for fast and precise modeling because the language features and constructs can be precisely tailored based on the needs of the modeling effort. There exist highly customizable model-editing tools that can be easily configured to support DSLs defined by end-users (e.g., system architects, engineers, and analysts). However, to leverage models created using these tools for automated analysis, simulation, and code generation, end-users must build custom analysis tools and code generators. In contrast to model editors, the implementation and maintenance of these analysis and code generation tools can be tedious and hampers the utility of DSLs. In this paper, we posit that analysis and code generation tools for DSLs are, in fact, isomorphic to model editing tools. The implication of this insight is that model editors, analysis tools, and code generators can be treated as analogs conceptually and architecturally, and highly customizable analysis and code generation tools for DSLs can be built using the same approach that has already proven successful for the construction of DSL model editors.
Citation:
George Edwards, Yuriy Brun, and Nenad Medvidovic, Isomorphism in model tools and editors, in Proceedings of the 26th IEEE ACM International Conference on Automated Software Engineering (ASE), 2011, pp. 458–461.
Related:
Extended and revised in "Automated analysis and code generation for domain-specific models" in WICSA 2012.
Bibtex:
@inproceedings{Edwards11ase,
  author = {George Edwards and Yuriy Brun and Nenad Medvidovic},
  title =
  {\href{http://people.cs.umass.edu/brun/pubs/pubs/Edwards11ase.pdf}{Isomorphism
  in model tools and editors}},
  booktitle = {Proceedings of the 26th IEEE ACM International Conference on
  Automated Software Engineering (ASE)},
  venue = {ASE},
  month = {November},
  year = {2011},
  date = {6--10},
  pages = {458--461},
  address = {Lawrence, KS, USA},
  doi = {10.1109/ASE.2011.6100099},
  accept = {$\frac{92}{252} \approx 37\%$},

  abstract = {Domain-specific languages (DSLs) are modeling languages that are
  customized for a specific context or project. DSLs allow for fast and
  precise modeling because the language features and constructs can be
  precisely tailored based on the needs of the modeling effort. There exist
  highly customizable model-editing tools that can be easily configured to
  support DSLs defined by end-users (e.g., system architects, engineers, and
  analysts). However, to leverage models created using these tools for
  automated analysis, simulation, and code generation, end-users must build
  custom analysis tools and code generators. In contrast to model editors, the
  implementation and maintenance of these analysis and code generation tools
  can be tedious and hampers the utility of DSLs. In this paper, we posit that
  analysis and code generation tools for DSLs are, in fact, isomorphic to
  model editing tools. The implication of this insight is that model editors,
  analysis tools, and code generators can be treated as analogs conceptually
  and architecturally, and highly customizable analysis and code generation
  tools for DSLs can be built using the same approach that has already proven
  successful for the construction of DSL model editors.},

  note = {Extended and revised in~\ref{Edwards12wicsa}.
  \href{https://doi.org/10.1109/ASE.2011.6100099}{DOI:10.1109/ASE.2011.6100099}},

  previous = {Extended and revised in "Automated analysis and code generation for
  domain-specific models" in WICSA 2012.},
}