Model transformation language

A model transformation language in systems and software engineering is a language intended specifically for model transformation.

Overview

The notion of model transformation is central to model-driven development. A model transformation, which is essentially a program which operates on models, can be written in a general-purpose programming language, such as Java. However, special-purpose model transformation languages can offer advantages, such as syntax that makes it easy to refer to model elements. For writing bidirectional model transformations, which maintain consistency between two or more models, a specialist bidirectional model transformation language is particularly important, because it can help avoid the duplication that would result from writing each direction of the transformation separately.

Currently, most model transformation languages are being developed in academia. The OMG has standardised a family of model transformation languages called QVT, but the field is still immature

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• OMG MDA Guide MDA Guide Version 1.0.1
• Model-Driven Architecture: Vision, Standards And Emerging Technologies at omg.org
• An Introduction to Model Driven Architecture at ibm.com
• From Object Composition to Model Transformation with the MDA at omg.org
• Mens, T, and Van Gorp, P: A Taxonomy of Model Transformation, Electronic Notes in Theoretical Computer Science, Volume 152, 27 March 2006, Pages 125-142
• Czarnecki, K, and Helsen, S : Classification of Model Transformation Approaches. In: Proceedings of the OOPSLA'03 Workshop on the Generative Techniques in the Context Of Model-Driven Architecture, Anaheim, California, USA. Webpublished.
• Gronmo, R, and Oldevik, J : An Empirical Study of the UML Model Transformation Tool (UMT). [1]

Further reading

• The MDA Journal: Model Driven Architecture Straight From The Masters
• Model Driven Architecture: Applying MDA to Enterprise Computing, David S. Frankel, John Wiley & Sons, ISBN 0-471-31920-1