Strategies for automatic code migration in the context of model-driven engineering

• Grant number: 12/04549-4
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: August 01, 2012
• End date: October 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Computer Science - Computing Methodologies and Techniques
• Principal Investigator: Daniel Lucrédio
• Grantee: Daniel Lucrédio
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Exatas e de Tecnologia (CCET). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

In Model-Driven Engineering, models are not just paper artifacts that serve to illustrate and communicate ideas. Instead, they are actually used as input to code generators that produce complete applications. As a result, the developer can actuate in a higher abstraction level, obtaining benefits such as improved productivity, quality and maintainability. In this context, the importance of the code generator goes beyond the simple automation of repetitive tasks, and therefore there must be ways to facilitate the process of creating and maintaining this kind of software asset. The use of template-based code generators, together with a reference implementation, is one of the most attractive approaches, because it is language-independent and results in generators that are similar to the final product, among other advantages. In this process, the reference implementation serves as an example of the code to be generated, and is the place where changes are made, and debugging and testing occurs. Once the reference code is validated, it is migrated to the generator, in a process known as code migration. This, however, causes code duplication (in the reference implementation and in the template) and additional manual effort to keep both artifacts synchronized. This proposal aims at investigating strategies for automatic code migration, with the objective of solving these problems. It involves studying and applying techniques such as code annotation, specialized text editors and round-trip engineering. Even being a non-trivial problem, some productivity gains due to the complete or partial automation of the code migration process, and other important contributions to the field, are expected. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

POSSATTO, MARCOS ANTONIO; LUCREDIO, DANIEL. Automatically propagating changes from reference implementations to code generation templates. INFORMATION AND SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY, v. 67, p. 65-78, NOV 2015. (12/04549-4)