Detail

Model-Driven Engineering at work: Multi-Paradigm Modelling

Models are invariably used in Engineering (for design) and Science
(for analysis) to precisely describe structure as well as behaviour of
systems. Models may have components described in different formalisms, and may
span different levels of abstraction. In addition, models are frequently
transformed into domains/formalisms where certain questions can be easily
answered. We introduce the term “multi-paradigm modelling” to denote the
interplay between multi-abstraction modelling, multi-formalism modelling and
the explicit modelling of model transformations.
The presentation will start with some ancedotal evidence of the need for
multi-paradigm modelling. Subsequently, the foundations of multi-paradigm
modelling will be presented. It will be shown how all aspects of
multi-paradigm modelling can be explicitly (meta-)modeled enabling the
efficient synthesis of (possibly domain-specific) multi-paradigm (visual)
modelling environments. We have implemented our ideas in the tool AToM^3 (A
Tool for Multi-formalism and Meta Modelling). AToM^3 will be introduced by
means of a simple example. Finally, an overview will be given of current and
future challenges of multi-paradigm modelling.