基于MDA的UML模型转换:从功能模型到实现模型

MDA（Model Drive Architecture）是OMG（Object Management Group）提出的解决系统集成问题的新途径,它以UML、MOF、CWM为核心,定义软件开发过程中的模型组织管理框架。本文探讨了MDA框架下在元模型层定义模型转换的方法。引入模型转换规则描述语言,给出模型转换规则应遵循的部分原则。以CORBA平台为例说明在元模型层用既定语言定义模型转换规则,从功能模型到实现模型的模型转换方法。基于以上方法构建相应的工具原型。     

一种UML 软件架构性能预测方法及其自动化研究

软件性能需求作为软件质量需求的重要组成部分,已受到人们极大的重视.而只在软件开发周期后期才重点关注软件性能需求的传统软件开发方法,将给开发者带来高风险和高成本等后果.如果能在软件开发周期的早期对软件系统性能进行预测,可以提前发现软件系统架构存在的性能瓶颈,并找出可能的优化方案,对各种设计方案进行比较以得出最优的软件系统架构.研究了一种基于模型的UML 软件架构性能预测方法:该方法选取软件架构设计中的UML 用例图、活动图和构件图,并引入构造型和标记值,将它们扩展为UML SPT 模型;进而,通过转换算法将UML SPT 模型转换为排队网络模型,该算法可处理同时包含分支节点和汇合节点的UML 模型活动图;最后,利用频域分析理论求解排队网络模型,以得出性能参数及性能瓶颈.同时介绍了UML 软件架构性能自动化工具的设计方案,并给出了软件架构性能预测实例.     

On challenges of model transformation from UML to Alloy

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.     

一种基于BCCS的多视图一致性检测的元模型

模型驱动架构(MDA)是一种采用建模描述语言如UML或BON等对需求建立平台无关模型,作为对需求规约以补充的开发方法。在复杂系统中,一个需求模型往往涵盖了多种类型的模型,用于描述系统的不同方面,如描述系统实体的静态模型,以及描述系统运行过程以及状态的动态模型,在这些模型中,往往会出现内部以及相互之间的不一致性。尝试通过B方法以及通信演算系统(CCS)来描述BON的元模型,并以此来检测BON模型中所出现的不一致性。     

Dynamic Meta Modeling with Time: Specifying the Semantics of Multimedia Sequence Diagrams

UML offers different diagram types to model behavior and dynamics of software systems. In some domains like embedded real-time systems or multimedia systems, it is necessary to include specifications of time since the correctness of these applications depends on the fulfillment of temporal requirements in addition to functional requirements. UML thus already incorporates language features to model time and temporal constraints. Such model elements must have an equivalent in the semantic domain. We have proposed Dynamic Meta Modeling (DMM) as a means for the specification of the formal operational semantics of UML models by applying graph transformation to the meta modeling of dynamic behavior. Within this paper, we extend this approach to also account for time by building on timed graph transformations. We apply these concepts to the domain of multimedia application modeling in which we adopt UML sequence diagrams. The DMM rules with time then specify an interpreter that can be used to analyze or test a model of multimedia sequence diagrams.     

Dependability analysis of DES based on MARTE and UML state machines models

UML (Unified Modeling Language) is a standard design notation which offers the state machines diagram to specify reactive software systems. The “Modeling and Analysis of Real-Time and Embedded systems” profile (MARTE) enables UML with capabilities for performance analysis. MARTE has been specialized in a “Dependability Analysis and Modeling” profile (DAM), then providing UML with dependability assets. In this work, we propose an approach for the automatic transformation of UML-DAM models into Deterministic and Stochastic Petri nets and the subsequent dependability analysis.     

Reconstructing a formal security model

Role-based access control (RBAC) is a flexible approach to access control, which has generated great interest in the security community. The principal motivation behind RBAC is to simplify the complexity of administrative tasks. Several formal models of RBAC have been introduced. However, there are a few works specifying RBAC in a way which system developers or software engineers can easily understand and adopt to develop role-based systems. And there still exists a demand to have a practical representation of well-known access control models for system developers who work on secure system development. In this paper we represent a well-known RBAC model with software engineering tools such as Unified Modeling Language (UML) and Object Constraints Language (OCL) to reduce a gap between security models and system developments. The UML is a general-purpose visual modeling language in which we can specify, visualize, and document the components of a software system. And OCL is part of the UML and has been used for object-oriented analysis and design as a de facto constraints specification language in software engineering arena. Our representation is based on a standard model for RBAC proposed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. We specify this RBAC model with UML including three views: static view, functional view, and dynamic view. We also describe how OCL can specify RBAC constraints that is one of important aspects to constrain what components in RBAC are allowed to do. In addition, we briefly discuss future directions of this work.     

Performance analysis of aspect-oriented UML models

Aspect-Oriented Modeling (AOM) techniques allow software designers to isolate and address separately solutions for crosscutting concerns (such as security, reliability, new functional features, etc.). Current AOM research is concerned not only with the separate expression of concerns and their composition into a complete system model, but also with the analysis of different properties of such models. This paper proposes an approach for analyzing the performance effects of a given aspect on the overall system performance, after the composition of the aspect model with the system’s primary model. Performance analysis of UML models is enabled by the “UML Performance Profile for Schedulability, Performance and Time” (SPT) standardized by OMG, which defines a set of quantitative performance annotations to be added to a UML model. The first step of the proposed approach is to add performance annotations to both the primary and the aspect models. An aspect model is generic at first, and therefore its performance annotations must be parameterized. A generic model is converted into a context-specific aspect model with concrete values assigned to its performance annotations. The latter is composed with the primary model, generating a complete annotated UML model. The composition is performed in both structural and behavioural views. A novel approach for composing activity diagrams based on graph-rewriting concepts is proposed in the paper. The next step is to transform automatically the composed model into a Layered Queueing Network (LQN) performance model, by using techniques developed in previous work. The proposed approach is illustrated with a case study system, whose primary model is enhanced with some security features by using AOM. The performance effects of the security aspect under consideration are analyzed in two design alternatives, by solving and analyzing the LQN model of the composed system.     

MDA的设想与实现

模型驱动体系结构(MDA)提出了一种利用模型进行软件开发的方法，它将模型作为软件开发过程的关键，MDA的基本思想是将模型区分为平台独立模型(platform independent model)和平台相关模型(platform specific model)，通过不同抽象层次模型之间的转换完成软件开发过程。介绍了MDA的设想，包括MDA的基本概念，基于MDA的开发过程，讨论了实现MDA所涉及的几个重要问题。     

An Algebraic Baseline for Automatic Transformations in MDA

Software evolution can be supported at two levels: models and programs. The model-based software development approach allows the application of a more abstract process of software evolution, in accordance with the OMG's MDA initiative. We describe a framework for model management, called MOMENT, that supports automatic formal model transformations in MDA. Our model transformation approach is based on the algebraic specification of models and benefits from mature term rewriting system technology to perform model transformation using rewriting logic. In this paper, we present how we apply this formal transformation mechanism between platformindependent models, such as UML models and relational schemas. Our approach enhances the integration between formal environments and industrial technologies such as .NET technology, and exploits the best features of both.     

基于元模型的HBase数据模型转换方法

模型驱动架构方法（MDA）可以减少需求变更对软件开发的影响,提高软件开发效率和系统的可移植性、可维护性。本文在MDA思想的基础上,建立平台无关模型和平台相关模型的元模型,在元模型层次上提出UML类图模型到HBase数据模型的转换思想。最后,在ATL模型转换框架中实现UML类图模型到HBase数据模型的转换,证明了自动生成数据库目标模型和MDA在软件开发中的可行性。      

MDA: revenge of the modelers or UML utopia?

Modeling is at the core of many disciplines, but it is especially important in engineering because it facilitates communication and constructs complex things from smaller parts. Model engineering or model-driven development, treats software development as a set of transformations between successive models from requirements to analysis, to design, to implementation, to deployment. We discuss UML and MDA tools for developing software models. We also discuss domain specific languages, domain-oriented programming, platform-specific models and model engineering.     

Synergistic verification and validation of systems and software engineering models

In this paper, we present a unified approach for the verification and validation of software and systems engineering design models expressed in UML 2.0 and SysML 1.0. The approach is based on three well-established techniques, namely formal analysis, programme analysis and software engineering (SwE) techniques. More precisely, our contribution consists of the synergistic combination of model checking, static analysis and SwE metrics that enables the automatic and efficient assessment of design models from static and dynamic perspectives. Additionally, we present the design and implementation of an automated computer-aided assessing framework integrating the proposed approach. Moreover, we discuss the related technical details and the underlying synergism. Finally, we illustrate the proposed approach by assessing a design case study that is composed of state machine and sequence diagrams.     

A dependability profile within MARTE

The importance of assessing software non-functional properties (NFP) beside the functional ones is well accepted in the software engineering community. In particular, dependability is a NFP that should be assessed early in the software life-cycle by evaluating the system behaviour under different fault assumptions. Dependability-specific modeling and analysis techniques include for example Failure Mode and Effect Analysis for qualitative evaluation, stochastic Petri nets for quantitative evaluation, and fault trees for both forms of evaluation. Unified Modeling Language (UML) may be specialized for different domains by using the profile mechanism. For example, the MARTE profile extends UML with concepts for modeling and quantitative analysis of real-time and embedded systems (more specifically, for schedulability and performance analysis). This paper proposes to add to MARTE a profile for dependability analysis and modeling (DAM). A case study of an intrusion-tolerant message service will offer insight on how the MARTE-DAM profile can be used to derive a stochastic Petri net model for performance and dependability assessment.     

Performance analysis of security aspects by weaving scenarios extracted from UML models

Aspect-oriented modeling (AOM) allows software designers to describe features that address pervasive concerns separately as aspects, and to systematically incorporate the features into a design model using model composition techniques. The goal of this paper is to analyze the performance effects of different security features that may be represented as aspect models. This is part of a larger research effort to integrate methodologies and tools for the analysis of security and performance properties early in the software development process. In this paper, we describe an extension to the AOM approach that provides support for performance analysis. We use the performance analysis techniques developed previously in the PUMA project, which take as input UML models annotated with the standard UML Profile for Schedulability, Performance and Time (SPT), and transform them first into Core Scenario Model (CSM), and then into different performance models. The composition of the aspects with the primary (base) model is performed at the CSM level. A new formal definition of CSM properties and operations is described as a foundation for scenario-based weaving. The proposed approach is illustrated with an example that utilizes two standards, TPC-W and SSL.     

A representation method for performance specifications in UML domain

Performance related problems play a key role in the Software Development Process (SDP). In particular an early integration of performance specifications in the SDP has been recognized during last years as an effective approach to speed up the production of high quality and reliable software. In this context we defined and implemented a technique for automatically evaluating performance aspects of UML software architectures. To achieve this goal the starting UML model of the software architecture under exam has been mapped into a performance domain afterwards analyzed. The performance indices are inserted in the UML model exploiting the OMG Profile for Schedulability, Performance and Time Specification standard. However, to really automate the process, it was mandatory to specify the UML software representation by fixing semantic rules. The goal of this paper is the formalization of the model representation, characterizing the syntax and the semantics through which specifying performance requirements and behaviors into UML models in order to be compliant with the technique we implemented.     

Modeling safety and airworthiness (RTCA DO-178B) information: conceptual model and UML profile

Several safety-related standards exist for developing and certifying safety-critical systems. System safety assessments are common practice and system certification according to a standard requires submitting relevant system safety information to appropriate authorities. The RTCA DO-178B standard is a software quality assurance, safety-related standard for the development of software aspects of aerospace systems. This research introduces an approach to improve communication and collaboration among safety engineers, software engineers, and certification authorities in the context of RTCA DO-178B. This is achieved by utilizing a Unified Modeling Language (UML) profile that allows software engineers to model safety-related concepts and properties in UML, the de facto software modeling standard. A conceptual meta-model is defined based on RTCA DO-178B, and then a corresponding UML profile, which we call SafeUML, is designed to enable its precise modeling. We show how SafeUML improves communication by, for example, allowing monitoring implementation of safety requirements during the development process, and supporting system certification per RTCA DO-178B. This is enabled through automatic generation of safety and certification-related information from UML models. We validate this approach through a case study on developing an aircraft’s navigation controller subsystem.     

基于MDA的关联关系转换方法

根据MDA中模型自动转换到代码的特点,提出了一种UML类图中关联关系到代码的转换方法。讨论了UML中关联关系及其两种实现模式,对每种模式分别定义了一套从UML模型（平台独立模型）到Java模型（平台相关模型）的变换规则,给出了两种实现模式按规则转换的实例。     

Model-Based Verification and Validation of Properties

One of the key issues in software development, like in all engineering problems, is to ensure that the product delivered meets its specification. Verification and validation are well-established techniques for ensuring the quality of a product within the overall software development lifecycle. With models being expressed in the Unified Modeling Language, the application of verification and validation is complicated. Firstly, concerning verification, a UML model is typically not the input language of a verification tool. Secondly, with regards to validation, a UML model is also not directly executable.In this paper, we show how verification and validation can be achieved for UML models. Within our approach, graph transformation techniques are applied for automated translation of UML models into a language understood by a verification tool or directly into an implementation. By the use of such semantic-preserving transformations, both verification and validation can be lifted up to the model level, allowing for a seamless integration of verification and validation into a UML-based development process.     

嵌入式系统模型驱动设计方法

提出基于模型驱动构架的嵌入式系统模型驱动设计方法．首先建立UMLforSystemC语言元模型，以扩充UML对硬件平台相关模型的描述能力；然后分析模型变换的映射规则；最后基于系统平台结构模型和软硬件划分提供模型变换实现．该方法能自动地生成不同实现的SystemC系统模型，以加速系统设计空间搜索效率。支持嵌入式系统的快速开发和验证．