Framework-Specific Modeling Languages with Round-Trip Engineering.pdf

Framework-Specific Modeling Languages with Round-Trip Engineering Micha l Antkiewicz and Krzysztof Czarnecki University of Waterloo http://gp.uwaterloo.ca {mantkiew, kczarnec}@swen.uwaterloo.ca Abstract. We propose Framework-Specific Modeling Languages (FSMLs) as a special category of Domain-Specific Modeling Languages that are defined on top of an object-oriented application framework. They are used to express models showing how framework-provided abstractions are used in framework-based application code. Such models may be con- nected with the application code through a forward and a reverse map- ping enabling round-trip engineering. We also propose a lightweight and iterative approach to round-trip engineering. Furthermore, we present a proof-of-concept FSML for modeling the interaction of workbench parts within Eclipse. Finally, we identify a number of challenges, opportunities, and directions for future research on FSMLs. 1 Introduction Object-oriented application frameworks are one of the most effective and widely used software reuse technologies today. The creation of framework-based applica- tions is often called framework completion. The resulting framework completion code implements the difference in functionality between the framework and the desired application. A framework provides a set of abstractions, referred to as framework-provided concepts, and means of instantiating them in the framework completion code. The concepts are instantiated by writing the completion code. Unfortunately, framework completion can be challenging. The application programmers need to know which framework-provided concepts are available and how to instantiate them in order to get the desired effect. The instantia- tion, which usually involves steps such as implementing interfaces or invoking framework services, is challenging since the implementation choices provided by the framework are not always compatible. Furthermore, the developers need to be able to see how the framew