On the Use of Alloy to Analyze Graph Transformation Systems

Baresi, Luciano; Spoletini, Paola

doi:10.1007/11841883_22

Cited by 45 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Alloy modules can also be exploited to specify model transformations [2,4]. In this paper we focus on the study of exogenous model transformations [20] that take one source model as input and produce one target model as output.…”

Section: Model Transformations In Alloymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Agile validation of model transformations using compound F-Alloy specifications

Gammaitoni

Kelsen

2018

Science of Computer Programming

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Model transformations play a key role in model driven software engineering approaches. Validation of model transformations is crucial for the quality assurance of software systems to be constructed. The relational logic based specification language Alloy and its accompanying tool the Alloy Analyzer have been used in the past to validate properties of model transformations. However Alloy based analysis of transformations suffers from several limitations. On one hand, it is time consuming and does not scale well. On the other hand, the reliance on Alloy, being a formal method, prevents the effective involvement of domain experts in the validation process which is crucial for pinpointing domain pertinent errors. Those limitations are even more severe when it comes to transformations whose input and/or output are themselves transformations (called compound transformations) because they are inherently more complex. To tackle the performance and scalability limitations, in previous work, we proposed an Alloy-based Domain Specific Language (DSL), called F-Alloy, that is tailored for model transformation specifications. Instead of pure analysis based validation, F-Alloy speeds up the validation of model transformations by applying a hybrid strategy that combines analysis with interpretation. In this paper, we formalize the notion of "hybrid analysis" and further extended it to also support efficient validation of compound transformations. To enable the effective involvement of domain experts in the validation process, we propose in this paper a new approach to model transformation validation, called Visualization-Based Validation (briefly VBV). Following VBV, representative instances of a to-bevalidated model transformation are automatically generated by hybrid analysis and shown to domain experts for feedback in a visual notation that they are familiar with. We prescribe a process to guide the application of VBV to model transformations and illustrate it with a benchmark model transformation.

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Section: Model Transformations In Alloymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the context of model driven software engineering, Alloy and its accompanying tool the Alloy Analyzer have been used to validate properties of models [1,6] and model transformations [2,4]. However, the analysis of model transformation specifications expressed in Alloy has some important limitations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Agile validation of model transformations using compound F-Alloy specifications

Gammaitoni

Kelsen

2018

Science of Computer Programming

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“…no multiplication or division), restricting the set of expressions allowed in attribute conditions. On the other hand, as Alloy supports model checking, we would be able to check more complex properties on sequences of rule firings [5].…”

Section: Alternative Analysis Toolsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In [5], rules are translated into Alloy in order to study the applicability of sequences of rules and the reachability of models. Even though Alloy is equipped with a SAT solver (so that similar properties to the ones we verify could be analysed), the properties in [5] are only related to reachability.…”

Section: Related Workmentioning

confidence: 99%

A UML/OCL framework for the analysis of graph transformation rules

et al. 2009

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El acceso a la versión del editor puede requerir la suscripción del recurso Access to the published version may require subscription Abstract In this paper we present an approach for the analysis of graph transformation rules based on an intermediate OCL representation. We translate different rule semantics into OCL, together with the properties of interest (like rule applicability, conflicts or independence). The intermediate representation serves three purposes: (i) it allows the seamless integration of graph transformation rules with the MOF and OCL standards, and enables taking the meta-model and its OCL constraints (i.e. well-formedness rules) into account when verifying the correctness of the rules; (ii) it permits the interoperability of graph transformation concepts with a number of standards-based model-driven development tools; and (iii) it makes available a plethora of OCL tools to actually perform the rule analysis. This approach is especially useful to analyse the operational semantics of Domain Specific Visual Languages. We have automated these ideas by providing designers with tools for the graphical specification and analysis of graph transformation rules, including a backannotation mechanism that presents the analysis results in terms of the original language notation.

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“…Transformations to other domains can be found in [3], where rules are translated into Alloy in order to study the applicability of sequences of rules and the reachability of models; in [2], where rules are translated into Petri graphs to check safety properties; and in [21], where they are transformed into Promela for model-checking. However none of these approaches supports the analysis taking a meta-model into account or allowing OCL constraints in rules.…”

Section: Related Workmentioning

confidence: 99%