From fUML to fMOF (a Foundational Subset for Executable Meta‐Modelling)

Keywords

Executable MetaModelling, AspectOriented (Meta) Modelling, Modular Operational Semantics, Kermeta.

Description

OMG has recently adopted a subset of UML to define executable models: fUML (Foundational Subset for Executable UML Models). The operational semantics of this subset is precisely described in [1] and allows an unambiguous interpretation of a fUML model. Nevertheless, with the ever growing diffusion of Model Driven Engineering technologies, modelling has evolved into metamodelling that becomes a core activity of software development. MOF has been historically defined as a subset of the UML classifiers to define the abstract syntax and static semantics of Domain Specific Languages (DSLs). Complementary to that, an executable metamodelling language such as Kermeta [2] or Java/EMF [3], extending the MOF by an action language, was proposed and can be used to prototype DSL operational semantics (typically by mapping the effect of the DSL actions onto a model of the DSL semantic domain), allowing models execution.

We propose in this internship to investigate a new generation of executable metamodelling language taking advantage of the best previous experiences, with the Kermeta and the Java/EMF implementations and with the fUML specification. Accordingly, the main objective will be to promote a formal and advanced executable metamodeling, and to propose a consistent integration of best practices in a proofofconcept prototype.

The candidate will first evaluate the fUML action language to promote it at the MOFlevel and to compare it with Kermeta and Java/EMF. Relying on this work, he/she particularly investigate modularity issues in defining DSL semantics, borrowing ideas from Modular Structural Operational Semantics [4] and building on recent advances on Model Typing [5] and AspectOriented Modeling [6].

Bibliography

[1] Object Management Group, Inc. Semantics of a Foundational Subset for Executable UML Models (fUML) 1.0, Beta 1, November 2008.

[2] Pierre‐Alain Muller, Franck Fleurey, and Jean‐Marc Jézéquel. Weaving executability into objectoriented metalanguages. In MODELS/UML’2005, Springer.

[3] Dave Steinberg, Frank Budinsky, Marcelo Paternostro, and Ed Merks. EMF: Eclipse Modeling Framework (2nd Edition). Addison‐Wesley, 2008.

[4] P.D. Mosses. Modular structural operational semantics. Journal of Logic and Algebraic Programming, 60, 2004.

[5] Jim Steel and Jean‐Marc Jézéquel. On model typing. Journal of Software and Systems Modeling (SoSyM) 6(4), December 2007.

[6] Jean‐Marc Jézéquel. Model Driven Design and Aspect Weaving. Journal of Software and Systems Modeling (SoSyM) 7(2), 2008.

Working Environment

• Laboratories:
• IRISA, EPI Triskell (Campus de Beaulieu, Université de Rennes 1, France)

• Scientific Advisors:
• Jean-Marc Jézéquel (jezequel@irisa.fr)
• Benoît Combemale (benoit.combemale@inria.fr)