Transevol - A Tool to Evolve Legacy Model Transformations by Example

Abstract

The use of Model Driven Development (MDD) approach is increasing in industry. MDD approach raises the level of abstraction using models as main artefacts of software engineering processes. The development of model transformations is a critical step in MDD. Tasks for defining, specifying and maintaining model transformation rules can be complex in MDD. Model Transformation By Example (MTBE) approaches have been proposed to ease the development process of transformation rules. MTBE uses pair of input/output models to define the model transformation. Starting from pairs of example models the transformation rules are derived semi-automatically. The aim of our approach is to derive the adaptation operations that must be implemented in a legacy model transformation to fulfil a new transformation requirement. An MTBE approach and a tool to develop and evolve ATL transformation rules have been developed. Our approach derives the transformations operations automatically using execution traceability data and models differences. The developed MTBE approach can be applied to evolve legacy model transformations. A real case study is introduced to demonstrate the usefulness of the tool.