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Example-based validation of domain-specific visual languages

Abstract:

The definition of Domain-Specific Languages (DSLs) is a recurrent activity in Model-Driven Engineering. However, their construction is many times an ad-hoc proceb, partly due to the lack of tools enabling a proper engineering of DSLs and promoting domain experts to play an active role. The focus of this paper is on the validation of meta-models for visual DSLs. For this purpose, we propose a language and tool support for describing properties that in-stances of meta-models should (or should not) meet. Then, our system uses a model finder to produce example models, enriched with a graphical concrete syntax, that confirm or refute the abumptions of the meta-model developer. Our language complements metaBest, a framework for the validation and verification of meta-models that includes two other languages for unit testing and specification-based test-ing of meta-models. A salient feature of our approach is that it fosters interaction with domain experts by the use, proceb-ing and creation of informal drawings constructed in editors liked yED or Dia. We abeb the usefulneb of the approach in the validation of a DSL for house blueprints, with the par-Ticipation of 26 4th year computer science students.