On Challenges of Model Transformation from UML to Alloy

K Anastasakis, Behzad Bordbar, G Georg, I Ray

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle

149 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The Unified Modeling Language (UML) is the de facto language used in the industry for software specifications. Once an application has been specified, Model Driven Architecture (MDA) techniques can be applied to generate code from such specifications. Since implementing a system based on a faulty design requires additional cost and effort, it is important to analyse the UML models at earlier stages of the software development lifecycle. This paper focuses on utilizing MDA techniques to deal with the analysis of UML models and identify design faults within a specification. Specifically, we show how UML models can be automatically transformed into Alloy which, in turn, can be automatically analysed by the Alloy Analyzer. The proposed approach relies on MDA techniques to transform UML models to Alloy. This paper reports on the challenges of the model transformation from UML class diagrams and OCL to Alloy. Those issues are caused by fundamental differences in the design philosophy of UML and Alloy. To facilitate better the representation of Alloy concepts in the UML, the paper draws on the lessons learnt and presents a UML profile for Alloy.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)69-86
Number of pages18
JournalSoftware and Systems Modeling
Volume9
Issue number1
Early online date12 Dec 2008
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2010

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