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Towards a mechanism for controlling meta-model extensibility

Abstract:

Model-Driven Engineering (MDE) considers the systematic use of models in software development. A model must be specified through a well-defined modeling language with precise syntax and semantics. In MDE, this syntax is defined by a meta-model. There are several scenarios that require the extension or adaptation of existing meta-models. For example, OMG standards such as KDM or DD are based on the extension of base meta-models, according to certain norms. However, these norms are not "operational", but are described in natural language, and therefore not supported by tools. Although modeling is an activity regulated by meta-models, there are no commonly accepted mechanisms to regulate how meta-models can be extended. To solve this problem, we propose a mechanism that allows establishing norms of extensibility for meta-models, as well as a tool that makes it possible to extend the meta-models according to those norms. The tool is based on EMF, implemented as an Eclipse plugin, and has been validated to guide the extension of OMG standard meta-models such as KDM and DD.