SEGMENT-BASED RECONCILABLE MODEL TRANSFORMATION

For model transformation, when the source model changes and is re-transformed, there is an aspiration to make the resulting target model reflect changes in the source model and reserve the reusable refinement and concrete works from the pre-change target model. This paper presents a segment-based approach to enable reconcilable model transformation. Model segment is a set of model elements appearing in the transformation as to-be transformed unit or the transformation result unit. The approach is implemented by maintaining and utilizing transformation linkages between the source model segments and the target model segments. The approach consists of following key activities: 1)dividing model as segments, acquiring inter-segment transformation linkages, 2)identifying the changed source model segments caused by source model changes, identifying the changed target model segments caused by refinement and concretization on the target model, 3)putting changed segments on a common base guided by the transformation linkages and detecting possible conflicts, supporting developers to settle the conflicts, 4) partially transforming the changed source segments into target segments, and reconciling the resulting segments with those unchanged target model segments guided by the linkages. The approach is experimented in three real transformation cases.