Skip to main content

Henshin: A Usability-Focused Framework for EMF Model Transformation Development

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Graph Transformation (ICGT 2017)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNTCS,volume 10373))

Included in the following conference series:

Abstract

Improved usability of tools is a fundamental prerequisite for a more widespread industrial adoption of Model-Driven Engineering. We present the current state of Henshin, a model transformation language and framework based on algebraic graph transformations. Our demonstration focuses on Henshin’s novel usability-oriented features, specifically: (i) a textual syntax, complementing the existing graphical one by improved support for rapid transformation development, (ii) extended static validation, including checks for correct integration with general-purpose-language code, (iii) advanced refactoring support, in particular, for splitting large transformation programs, (iv) editing utilities for facilitating recurring tasks in model transformation development. We demonstrate the usefulness of these features using a running example.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Sendall, S., Kozaczynski, W.: Model transformation: the heart and soul of model-driven software development. IEEE Softw. 20(5), 42–45 (2003)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Whittle, J., Hutchinson, J., Rouncefield, M., Burden, H., Heldal, R.: Industrial adoption of model-driven engineering: are the tools really the problem? In: Moreira, A., Schätz, B., Gray, J., Vallecillo, A., Clarke, P. (eds.) MODELS 2013. LNCS, vol. 8107, pp. 1–17. Springer, Heidelberg (2013). doi:10.1007/978-3-642-41533-3_1

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  3. Liebel, G., Marko, N., Tichy, M., Leitner, A., Hansson, J.: Assessing the state-of-practice of model-based engineering in the embedded systems domain. In: Dingel, J., Schulte, W., Ramos, I., Abrahão, S., Insfran, E. (eds.) MODELS 2014. LNCS, vol. 8767, pp. 166–182. Springer, Cham (2014). doi:10.1007/978-3-319-11653-2_11

    Google Scholar 

  4. Arendt, T., Biermann, E., Jurack, S., Krause, C., Taentzer, G.: Henshin: advanced concepts and tools for in-place EMF model transformations. In: Petriu, D.C., Rouquette, N., Haugen, Ø. (eds.) MODELS 2010. LNCS, vol. 6394, pp. 121–135. Springer, Heidelberg (2010). doi:10.1007/978-3-642-16145-2_9

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  5. Strüber, D., Kehrer, T., Arendt, T., Pietsch, C., Reuling, D.: Scalability of model transformations: position paper and benchmark set. In: Workshop on Scalable Model Driven Engineering (BigMDE), pp. 21–30 (2016)

    Google Scholar 

  6. Varró, G., Schurr, A., Varró, D.: Benchmarking for graph transformation. In: Symposion on Visual Languages and Human-Centric Computing, pp. 79–88. IEEE (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  7. Voelter, M., Szabó, T., Lisson, S., Kolb, B., Erdweg, S., Berger, T.: Efficient development of consistent projectional editors using grammar cells. In: International Conference on Software Language Engineering (SLE), pp. 28–40 (2016)

    Google Scholar 

  8. Maro, S., Steghöfer, J., Anjorin, A., Tichy, M., Gelin, L.: On integrating graphical and textual editors for a UML profile based domain specific language: an industrial experience. In: International Conference on Software Language Engineering (SLE), pp. 1–12 (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  9. Biermann, E., Ermel, C., Taentzer, G.: Formal foundation of consistent EMF model transformations by algebraic graph transformation. Softw. Syst. Model. 11(2), 227–250 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Strüber, D., Plöger, J., Acreţoaie, V.: Clone detection for graph-based model transformation languages. In: Van Gorp, P., Engels, G. (eds.) ICMT 2016. LNCS, vol. 9765, pp. 191–206. Springer, Cham (2016). doi:10.1007/978-3-319-42064-6_13

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  11. Strüber, D., Rubin, J., Arendt, T., Chechik, M., Taentzer, G., Plöger, J.: RuleMerger: automatic construction of variability-based model transformation rules. In: Stevens, P., Wąsowski, A. (eds.) FASE 2016. LNCS, vol. 9633, pp. 122–140. Springer, Heidelberg (2016). doi:10.1007/978-3-662-49665-7_8

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  12. Strüber, D., Schulz, S.: A tool environment for managing families of model transformation rules. In: Echahed, R., Minas, M. (eds.) ICGT 2016. LNCS, vol. 9761, pp. 89–101. Springer, Cham (2016). doi:10.1007/978-3-319-40530-8_6

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  13. Kappel, G., Langer, P., Retschitzegger, W., Schwinger, W., Wimmer, M.: Model transformation by-example: a survey of the first wave. In: Düsterhöft, A., Klettke, M., Schewe, K.-D. (eds.) Conceptual Modelling and Its Theoretical Foundations. LNCS, vol. 7260, pp. 197–215. Springer, Heidelberg (2012). doi:10.1007/978-3-642-28279-9_15

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  14. Acreţoaie, V., Störrle, H., Strüber, D.: VMTL: a language for end-user model transformation. Softw. Syst. Model. 1–29 (2016)

    Google Scholar 

  15. Panach, J.I., España, S., Moreno, A.M., Pastor, Ó.: Dealing with usability in model transformation technologies. In: Li, Q., Spaccapietra, S., Yu, E., Olivé, A. (eds.) ER 2008. LNCS, vol. 5231, pp. 498–511. Springer, Heidelberg (2008). doi:10.1007/978-3-540-87877-3_36

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  16. Ammar, L.B., Trabelsi, A., Mahfoudhi, A.: Incorporating usability requirements into model transformation technologies. Requir. Eng. 20(4), 465–479 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Varró, D., Balogh, A.: The model transformation language of the VIATRA2 framework. Sci. Comput. Program. 68(3), 214–234 (2007)

    Article  MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  18. Geiß, R., Batz, G.V., Grund, D., Hack, S., Szalkowski, A.: GrGen: a fast SPO-based graph rewriting tool. In: Corradini, A., Ehrig, H., Montanari, U., Ribeiro, L., Rozenberg, G. (eds.) ICGT 2006. LNCS, vol. 4178, pp. 383–397. Springer, Heidelberg (2006). doi:10.1007/11841883_27

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  19. Schürr, A., Winter, A.J., Zündorf, A.: The PROGRES Approach: Language and Environment. Handbook of Graph Grammars and Computing by Graph Transformation. World Scientific Publishing Co. Inc., River Edge (1999)

    Google Scholar 

  20. Leblebici, E., Anjorin, A., Schürr, A.: Developing eMoflon with eMoflon. In: Ruscio, D., Varró, D. (eds.) ICMT 2014. LNCS, vol. 8568, pp. 138–145. Springer, Cham (2014). doi:10.1007/978-3-319-08789-4_10

    Google Scholar 

  21. Rensink, A., Schmidt, Á., Varró, D.: Model checking graph transformations: a comparison of two approaches. In: Ehrig, H., Engels, G., Parisi-Presicce, F., Rozenberg, G. (eds.) ICGT 2004. LNCS, vol. 3256, pp. 226–241. Springer, Heidelberg (2004). doi:10.1007/978-3-540-30203-2_17

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  22. Cabot, J., Clarisó, R., Guerra, E., De Lara, J.: Verification and validation of declarative model-to-model transformations through invariants. J. Syst. Softw. 83(2), 283–302 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Strüber, D., Selter, M., Taentzer, G.: Tool support for clustering large meta-models. In: Workshop on Scalability in Model Driven Engineering (BigMDE), pp. 7:1–7:4 (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  24. Rentschler, A., Werle, D., Noorshams, Q., Happe, L., Reussner, R.H.: Remodularizing legacy model transformations with automatic clustering techniques. In: Workshop on Analysis of Model Transformations (AMT), pp. 4–13 (2014)

    Google Scholar 

  25. Baki, I., Sahraoui, H.: Multi-step learning and adaptive search for learning complex model transformations from examples. ACM Trans. Softw. Eng. Methodol. 25(3), 20:1–20:37 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Buchmann, T., Westfechtel, B., Winetzhammer, S.: The added value of programmed graph transformations – a case study from software configuration management. In: Schürr, A., Varró, D., Varró, G. (eds.) AGTIVE 2011. LNCS, vol. 7233, pp. 198–209. Springer, Heidelberg (2012). doi:10.1007/978-3-642-34176-2_17

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgement

We thank the reviewers for their valuable and constructive suggestions. This research was partially supported by the research project Visual Privacy Management in User Centric Open Environments (supported by the EU’s Horizon 2020 programme, Proposal number: 653642). This work was partially supported by the DFG (German Research Foundation) (grant numbers TI 803/2-2 and TI 803/4-1).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Daniel Strüber .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 Springer International Publishing AG

About this paper

Cite this paper

Strüber, D. et al. (2017). Henshin: A Usability-Focused Framework for EMF Model Transformation Development. In: de Lara, J., Plump, D. (eds) Graph Transformation. ICGT 2017. Lecture Notes in Computer Science(), vol 10373. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-61470-0_12

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-61470-0_12

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-61469-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-61470-0

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics