Towards Automated Support for the Co-Evolution of Meta-Models and Grammars
Licentiate thesis, 2023

Blended modeling is an emerging paradigm involving seamless interaction between multiple notations for the same underlying modeling language. We focus on a model-driven engineering (MDE) approach based on meta-models to develop textual languages to improve the blended modeling capabilities of modeling tools. In this thesis, we propose an approach that can support the co-evolution of meta-models and grammars as language engineers develop textual languages in a meta-model-based MDE setting. Firstly, we comprehensively report on the challenges and limitations of modeling tools that support blended modeling, as well as opportunities to improve them. Second, we demonstrate how language engineers can extend Xtext’s generator capabilities according to their needs. Third, we propose a semi-automatic method to transform a language with a generated grammar into a Python-style language. Finally, we provide a solution (i.e., GrammarOptimizer) that can support rapid prototyping of languages in different styles and the co-evolution of meta-models and grammars of evolving languages.

Blended Modeling

Co-Evolution

Systematic Literature Review

Grammar Optimization

Xtext

Room Jupiter 520, Chalmers Campus Lindholmen, Hörselgången 5, 417 56 Gothenburg, Sweden
Opponent: Senior Lecturer Antonio Chicchetti, Mälardalen University, Sweden

Author

Weixing Zhang

Chalmers, Computer Science and Engineering (Chalmers), Interaction Design and Software Engineering

Blended modeling in commercial and open-source model-driven software engineering tools: A systematic study

Software and Systems Modeling,;Vol. 22(2023)p. 415-447

Journal article

Exploiting Meta-Model Structures in the Generation of Xtext Editors

Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Model-Based Software and Systems Engineering ,;Vol. 1(2023)p. 218-225

Paper in proceeding

Creating Python-Style Domain Specific Languages: A Semi-Automated Approach and Intermediate Results

Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Model-Based Software and Systems Engineering,;Vol. 1(2023)p. 210-217

Paper in proceeding

Supporting Meta-model-based Language Evolution and Rapid Prototyping with Automated Grammar Optimization, W. Zhang, J. Holtmann, D. Strüber, R. Hebig, J. Steghöfer

Areas of Advance

Information and Communication Technology

Subject Categories

Software Engineering

Information Science

Computer Systems

Publisher

Chalmers

Room Jupiter 520, Chalmers Campus Lindholmen, Hörselgången 5, 417 56 Gothenburg, Sweden

Online

Opponent: Senior Lecturer Antonio Chicchetti, Mälardalen University, Sweden

Related datasets

GrammarOptimizer_data [dataset]

URI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10045477 DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.10045477

More information

Latest update

11/16/2023