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Difference between revisions of "Henshin/Transformation Meta-Model"

(Advanced concepts: Application conditions and rule nesting)
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The '''Henshin transformation meta-model''' defines the concepts used for the specification of model transformations in Henshin.
 
The '''Henshin transformation meta-model''' defines the concepts used for the specification of model transformations in Henshin.
  
Model transformations are defined in '''modules''' that comprise a set of units, being either transformation rules - atomic units  - or composite units that allow to define a control flow.  
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Model transformations are specified in terms of '''modules''' that comprise a set of units, being either transformation rules - atomic units  - or composite units that allow to define a control flow.  
  
 
=== Basic building blocks: Rules ===
 
=== Basic building blocks: Rules ===
 
[[Image:Henshin Transformatin Modules.png|right|550xpx]]
 
[[Image:Henshin Transformatin Modules.png|right|550xpx]]
  
'''Rules''' are the basic building blocks of model transformations in Henshin. A rule comprises two graphs, a left-hand side (LHS) and a right-hand side (RHS) graph. LHS and RHS specify model patterns on abstract syntax level. Nodes correspond to model elements, edges correspond to references owned by and typed over model elements. The LHS describes a pattern to be matched. The RHS specifies a change on the input model. Nodes and edges occurring in the LHS or RHS only are deleted or created, respectively. Node mappings between LHS and RHS declare identity, that is, nodes and edges being preserved.  
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'''Rules''' are the basic building blocks for model transformations. A rule comprises two graphs, a left-hand side (LHS) and a right-hand side (RHS) graph. The LHS describes a pattern to be matched in the input model. The RHS specifies a change on the input model. LHS and RHS specify model patterns on the abstract syntax level:  Nodes represent model elements, edges represent references between model elements. Nodes and edges occurring in the LHS or RHS only are deleted or created, respectively. Node mappings between LHS and RHS declare identity, that is, nodes and edges being preserved. Nodes possess attributes representing the attributes of the respective model elements. Their values may either be literals - e.g. 0 or "Hello" -, parameters, or JavaScript expressions, being evaluated by a JavaScript engine at runtime.  Nodes, edges and attributes have a type, being a class, reference or attribute in an EMF model. Attribute conditions can impose additional boolean conditions that are bound to the rule.
In the [[Henshin Graphical Editor|graphical editor]], nodes are shown with a «create», «delete», or «forbid» tag determined by their containment in LHS and/or RHS graphs. Nodes possess attributes. Attribute conditions can be defined whose expressions are evaluated by a JavaScript engine at runtime.
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'''Dangling condition''': A common beginner-level problem is that rules are deemed unexecutable by the Henshin interpreter despite looking correct at the surface. This behavior is often connected to the dangling condition: A rule execution may not leave behind dangling edges, being edges with a missing source or target. It is possible to turn the gluing condition check off using the ''checkDangling'' Boolean flag.
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For conciseness, the [[Henshin Graphical Editor|graphical editor]] merges LHS and RHS into an integrated representation: Nodes and edges are annotated with a <span style="color:gray">&laquo;preserve&raquo;</span>, <span style="color:green">&laquo;create&raquo;</span>, or <span style="color:red">&laquo;delete&raquo;</span> tag depending on their containment in LHS or RHS graphs.  
  
'''Injective matching''': The ''injectiveMatching'' flag specifies whether the match-finder is allowed to assign two or more LHS nodes to the same model element. Per default, matching is set injective (e.g., it is not).
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'''Dangling condition''': A common beginner-level problem is that rules are deemed unexecutable by the Henshin interpreter despite looking correct at the surface. This behavior is often related to the dangling condition: A rule execution may not leave behind dangling edges, being edges with a missing source or target. It is possible to turn off the gluing condition check using the ''checkDangling'' Boolean flag. Setting the flag to false will lead to the interpreter deleting the dangling edges.
  
=== Advanced concepts: Rule refinement ===
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'''Injective matching''': The ''injectiveMatching'' flag specifies whether the match-finder is supposed to find matches that assign two or more LHS nodes to the same model element. Per default, matching is set injective (that is, not supposed to assign nodes to the same model element).
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'''Edges''': A few remarks on edges:  First, rules do not maintain mappings of edges between different rule graphs: Edges are considered identical if their types and their source and target nodes are identical. Second, if a reference has an ''EOpposite'' reference, it is not required to specify an edge for the opposite reference: By its default behavior, EMF ensures that changes involving one of the EOpposites will be propagated onto the other. Third, in ''ordered'' references, the positions of list entries can be modified using the ''index'' attribute. An example is shown in [http://www.ckrause.org/2013/05/henshin-098-working-with-lists.html this article].
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=== Advanced concepts: Application conditions and rule nesting ===
  
 
[[Image:Henshin_Application_Conditions.png|right|550xpx]]
 
[[Image:Henshin_Application_Conditions.png|right|550xpx]]
  
'''Application conditions''' are graph patterns which restrict the LHS of a given rule during application. They may require the presence of additional elements or relationships not included in the LHS. In this case, they are referred to as ''positive application conditions'' (PACs). Furthermore, they may forbid the presence of elements or relationships in the LHS. In this case, they are referred to as ''negative application conditions'' (NACs). Consequently, the [[Henshin Graphical Editor|graphical editor]] displays PAC elements with a «require» and NAC elements with a «forbid» tag. Application conditions can be arbitarily nested using the propositional operators ''Or'', ''And'', ''Xor'', and  ''Not''. Whether an application condition graph represents a NAC or a PAC is determined by its containment in a ''Not'' condition. <br>
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'''Application conditions''' are graph patterns that restrict the LHS of a given rule. They may require the presence of additional elements or relationships not included in the LHS. In this case, they are referred to as ''positive application conditions'' (PACs). Furthermore, they may forbid the presence of elements or relationships. In this case, they are referred to as ''negative application conditions'' (NACs). Consequently, the [[Henshin Graphical Editor|graphical editor]] displays PAC elements with a <span style="color:brown">&laquo;require&raquo;</span> and NAC elements with a <span style="color:blue">&laquo;forbid&raquo;</span> tag. Application conditions can be arbitarily nested using the propositional operators ''Or'', ''And'', ''Xor'', and  ''Not''. Whether an application condition graph represents a NAC or a PAC is determined by whether it is contained in a ''Not'' formula.<br>
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Since LHS and PACs specify graph patterns required to be present, you may ask now if PACs just add a syntactic sugar on top of the LHS. This is not the case: PACs (and NACs) are used to constrain the matching of the LHS. However, they are not part of the computed match. A match only contains mappings for LHS nodes. This is particularly important in scenarios where you want to apply a rule for each computed match (compare ''rule-nesting'', described below). For an example, please refer to [https://www.eclipse.org/henshin/examples.php?example=giraph-movies Movies].<br>
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Identity of nodes in different graphs, including LHS, PAC, and NAC graphs, can be specified using mappings.
 +
The graphical editor maintains these mappings implicitly: For each LHS node, it creates a mapped node inside the NAC or PAC.<br>
 
''Examples:'' [https://www.eclipse.org/henshin/examples.php?example=bank Bank Accounts], [https://www.eclipse.org/henshin/examples.php?example=ecore2rdb Ecore2RDB], [https://www.eclipse.org/henshin/examples.php?example=java2statemachine Java2StateMachine],  [https://www.eclipse.org/henshin/examples.php?example=ecore2genmodel Ecore2Genmodel], [https://www.eclipse.org/henshin/examples.php?example=combpattern Grid & Comb Pattern], [https://www.eclipse.org/henshin/examples.php?example=gossipinggirls Gossiping Girls], [https://www.eclipse.org/henshin/examples.php?example=probbroadcast Probabilistic Broadcast], [https://www.eclipse.org/henshin/examples.php?example=giraph-movies Movies]
 
''Examples:'' [https://www.eclipse.org/henshin/examples.php?example=bank Bank Accounts], [https://www.eclipse.org/henshin/examples.php?example=ecore2rdb Ecore2RDB], [https://www.eclipse.org/henshin/examples.php?example=java2statemachine Java2StateMachine],  [https://www.eclipse.org/henshin/examples.php?example=ecore2genmodel Ecore2Genmodel], [https://www.eclipse.org/henshin/examples.php?example=combpattern Grid & Comb Pattern], [https://www.eclipse.org/henshin/examples.php?example=gossipinggirls Gossiping Girls], [https://www.eclipse.org/henshin/examples.php?example=probbroadcast Probabilistic Broadcast], [https://www.eclipse.org/henshin/examples.php?example=giraph-movies Movies]
  
'''Rule-nesting''' is a powerful concept providing a for-each operator for rules. In nested rules, the outer rule is referred to as ''kernel rule'' and an inner rule as ''multi rule''.  During execution of a nested rule, the kernel rule is matched and executed once and used as a starting point to apply the multi rule as often as possible. Multi mappings allow to specify identity between kernel and multi-rule nodes. In the [[Henshin Graphical Editor|graphical editor]], multi-rule nodes are indicated by a layered representation and an asterisk (*). Nesting across multiple layers is indicated by the path constituted by the names of the nested rules.<br>
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'''Rule-nesting''' is a powerful concept providing a for-each operator for rules. In nested rules, the outer rule is referred to as ''kernel rule'' and the inner rule as ''multi rule''.  During execution of a nested rule, the kernel rule is matched and executed once. Afterwards, the match is used as a starting point to match the multi-rule as often as possible and execute it for each match. Multi mappings allow to specify identity between kernel and multi-rule nodes. In the [[Henshin Graphical Editor|graphical editor]], multi-rule nodes are indicated by a layered representation and an asterisk (*). Multiple layers of rule-nesting are allowed. The graphical editor shows the path constituted by the nested rules in the title bar of the respective nodes. An extensive example for multiple-layer rule-nesting is found in [https://www.eclipse.org/henshin/examples.php?example=ecore2rdb Ecore2RDB].<br>
''Examples:'' [https://www.eclipse.org/henshin/examples.php?example=bank Bank Accounts], [https://www.eclipse.org/henshin/examples.php?example=ecore2rdb Ecore2RDB], [https://www.eclipse.org/henshin/examples.php?example=gossipinggirls Gossiping Girls], [https://www.eclipse.org/henshin/examples.php?example=probbroadcast Probabilistic Broadcast]
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''Examples:'' [https://www.eclipse.org/henshin/examples.php?example=bank Bank Accounts], [https://www.eclipse.org/henshin/examples.php?example=ecore2rdb Ecore2RDB], [https://www.eclipse.org/henshin/examples.php?example=gossipinggirls Gossiping Girls], [https://www.eclipse.org/henshin/examples.php?example=probbroadcast Probabilistic Broadcast]<br >
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''Further Reading: Biermann, Ermel, Taentzer. "Formal foundation of consistent EMF model transformations by algebraic graph transformation." Software & Systems Modeling 11.2 (2012): 227-250. Chapter 5. [http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10270-011-0199-7 SpringerLink]''
  
 
=== Control flow: Units ===
 
=== Control flow: Units ===
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[[Image:Henshin_Parameters.png|right|300xpx]]
 
[[Image:Henshin_Parameters.png|right|300xpx]]
  
'''Parameters''' allow to shape the behavior of units and rules with variable information that is typically not present before execution time. Parameters are defined as part of the rule and can then be used in elements of the rule, e.g., as attribute values and in attribute conditions. Parameters can be set from the environment using the API or the graphical interpreter wizard. Parameters values set from the environment are used during matching. In turn, parameters that were not set from the environment are set by the matchfinder to the values found in the respective objects. This can be used to propagate values between LHS and RHS elements.  In the [[Henshin Graphical Editor|graphical editor]], the parameter list is shown and edited in the title bar of a unit, following in brackets after the unit name. <br>
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'''Parameters''' allow to shape the behavior of units and rules with variable information that is typically not present before execution time. Parameters are declared in the parameter list of a unit. Declared parameters can be used in all String values inside a unit - for instance, in node names, attribute values, attribute conditions, or the ''iterations'' condition. Parameters are accessed by name reference. In the [[Henshin Graphical Editor|graphical editor]], the parameter list is shown and edited in the title bar of a unit, following in brackets after the unit name.
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At execution time, the variable information is passed in by setting the parameters. Parameters can be set externally using the API or the graphical interpreter wizard. Parameters values that have been set externally are used during matching. Parameters not set externally before matching are set by the matchfinder to the values found in the respective objects. This behavior can be used to propagate values between LHS and RHS elements.  Note that unset parameters are only considered in LHS attributes, that is, deleted and preserved attributes. Newly created attributes with parameters neither set by the user nor during matching are ignored. <br>
 
''Examples:'' [https://www.eclipse.org/henshin/examples.php?example=bank Bank Accounts], [https://www.eclipse.org/henshin/examples.php?example=ecore2rdb Ecore2RDB], [https://www.eclipse.org/henshin/examples.php?example=ecore2genmodel Ecore2Genmodel], [https://www.eclipse.org/henshin/examples.php?example=combpattern Grid & Comb Pattern], [https://www.eclipse.org/henshin/examples.php?example=gossipinggirls Gossiping Girls], [https://www.eclipse.org/henshin/examples.php?example=probbroadcast Probabilistic Broadcast]
 
''Examples:'' [https://www.eclipse.org/henshin/examples.php?example=bank Bank Accounts], [https://www.eclipse.org/henshin/examples.php?example=ecore2rdb Ecore2RDB], [https://www.eclipse.org/henshin/examples.php?example=ecore2genmodel Ecore2Genmodel], [https://www.eclipse.org/henshin/examples.php?example=combpattern Grid & Comb Pattern], [https://www.eclipse.org/henshin/examples.php?example=gossipinggirls Gossiping Girls], [https://www.eclipse.org/henshin/examples.php?example=probbroadcast Probabilistic Broadcast]
  
'''Parameter mappings''': In order to pass parameter values from outer to inner units, it is required to define parameter mappings. A parameter mapping assigns a source parameter to a target parameter. <br>
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'''Parameter mappings''': In order to pass parameter values between units, it is required to define parameter mappings. A parameter mapping assigns a source parameter to a target parameter. <br>
 
''Examples:'' [https://www.eclipse.org/henshin/examples.php?example=ecore2rdb Ecore2RDB], [https://www.eclipse.org/henshin/examples.php?example=ecore2genmodel Ecore2Genmodel], [https://www.eclipse.org/henshin/examples.php?example=combpattern Grid & Comb Pattern]
 
''Examples:'' [https://www.eclipse.org/henshin/examples.php?example=ecore2rdb Ecore2RDB], [https://www.eclipse.org/henshin/examples.php?example=ecore2genmodel Ecore2Genmodel], [https://www.eclipse.org/henshin/examples.php?example=combpattern Grid & Comb Pattern]
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[[Category:Henshin]]

Revision as of 08:00, 26 January 2016

The Henshin transformation meta-model defines the concepts used for the specification of model transformations in Henshin.

Model transformations are specified in terms of modules that comprise a set of units, being either transformation rules - atomic units - or composite units that allow to define a control flow.

Basic building blocks: Rules

Henshin Transformation Modules.png

Rules are the basic building blocks for model transformations. A rule comprises two graphs, a left-hand side (LHS) and a right-hand side (RHS) graph. The LHS describes a pattern to be matched in the input model. The RHS specifies a change on the input model. LHS and RHS specify model patterns on the abstract syntax level: Nodes represent model elements, edges represent references between model elements. Nodes and edges occurring in the LHS or RHS only are deleted or created, respectively. Node mappings between LHS and RHS declare identity, that is, nodes and edges being preserved. Nodes possess attributes representing the attributes of the respective model elements. Their values may either be literals - e.g. 0 or "Hello" -, parameters, or JavaScript expressions, being evaluated by a JavaScript engine at runtime. Nodes, edges and attributes have a type, being a class, reference or attribute in an EMF model. Attribute conditions can impose additional boolean conditions that are bound to the rule.

For conciseness, the graphical editor merges LHS and RHS into an integrated representation: Nodes and edges are annotated with a «preserve», «create», or «delete» tag depending on their containment in LHS or RHS graphs.

Dangling condition: A common beginner-level problem is that rules are deemed unexecutable by the Henshin interpreter despite looking correct at the surface. This behavior is often related to the dangling condition: A rule execution may not leave behind dangling edges, being edges with a missing source or target. It is possible to turn off the gluing condition check using the checkDangling Boolean flag. Setting the flag to false will lead to the interpreter deleting the dangling edges.

Injective matching: The injectiveMatching flag specifies whether the match-finder is supposed to find matches that assign two or more LHS nodes to the same model element. Per default, matching is set injective (that is, not supposed to assign nodes to the same model element).

Edges: A few remarks on edges: First, rules do not maintain mappings of edges between different rule graphs: Edges are considered identical if their types and their source and target nodes are identical. Second, if a reference has an EOpposite reference, it is not required to specify an edge for the opposite reference: By its default behavior, EMF ensures that changes involving one of the EOpposites will be propagated onto the other. Third, in ordered references, the positions of list entries can be modified using the index attribute. An example is shown in this article.

Advanced concepts: Application conditions and rule nesting

Henshin Application Conditions.png

Application conditions are graph patterns that restrict the LHS of a given rule. They may require the presence of additional elements or relationships not included in the LHS. In this case, they are referred to as positive application conditions (PACs). Furthermore, they may forbid the presence of elements or relationships. In this case, they are referred to as negative application conditions (NACs). Consequently, the graphical editor displays PAC elements with a «require» and NAC elements with a «forbid» tag. Application conditions can be arbitarily nested using the propositional operators Or, And, Xor, and Not. Whether an application condition graph represents a NAC or a PAC is determined by whether it is contained in a Not formula.
Since LHS and PACs specify graph patterns required to be present, you may ask now if PACs just add a syntactic sugar on top of the LHS. This is not the case: PACs (and NACs) are used to constrain the matching of the LHS. However, they are not part of the computed match. A match only contains mappings for LHS nodes. This is particularly important in scenarios where you want to apply a rule for each computed match (compare rule-nesting, described below). For an example, please refer to Movies.
Identity of nodes in different graphs, including LHS, PAC, and NAC graphs, can be specified using mappings. The graphical editor maintains these mappings implicitly: For each LHS node, it creates a mapped node inside the NAC or PAC.
Examples: Bank Accounts, Ecore2RDB, Java2StateMachine, Ecore2Genmodel, Grid & Comb Pattern, Gossiping Girls, Probabilistic Broadcast, Movies

Rule-nesting is a powerful concept providing a for-each operator for rules. In nested rules, the outer rule is referred to as kernel rule and the inner rule as multi rule. During execution of a nested rule, the kernel rule is matched and executed once. Afterwards, the match is used as a starting point to match the multi-rule as often as possible and execute it for each match. Multi mappings allow to specify identity between kernel and multi-rule nodes. In the graphical editor, multi-rule nodes are indicated by a layered representation and an asterisk (*). Multiple layers of rule-nesting are allowed. The graphical editor shows the path constituted by the nested rules in the title bar of the respective nodes. An extensive example for multiple-layer rule-nesting is found in Ecore2RDB.
Examples: Bank Accounts, Ecore2RDB, Gossiping Girls, Probabilistic Broadcast
Further Reading: Biermann, Ermel, Taentzer. "Formal foundation of consistent EMF model transformations by algebraic graph transformation." Software & Systems Modeling 11.2 (2012): 227-250. Chapter 5. SpringerLink

Control flow: Units

Henshin Transformation Units.png

In Henshin, control flow is specified using units. Units have a fixed number of sub-units, allowing for arbitrary nesting. The following unit types are available:

Sequential units have an arbitrary number of sub-units that are executed in the given order. The Boolean flag strict determines the behavior if one of the sub-units cannot be executed: In strict mode, the execution stops, otherwise, the next sub-unit is executed. The Boolean flag rollback determines whether in the case of a stopped execution previous executions are reverted.
Examples: Ecore2RDB, Java2StateMachine, Ecore2Genmodel, Grid & Comb Pattern, Movies

Priority Units have an arbitrary number of sub-units that are checked in the given order for executability. One sub-unit - the first one found to be executable - is executed.
Examples: Java2StateMachine

Independent Units have an arbitrary number of sub-units that are checked in nondeterministic order for executability. One sub-unit - the first one found to be executable - is executed.
Examples: Ecore2Genmodel

Loop Units have one sub-unit. The sub-unit is executed as often as it is executable.
Examples: Java2StateMachine, Ecore2Genmodel

Iterated Units have one sub-unit. The sub-unit is executed as often as specified in the iterations property.
Examples: Grid & Comb Pattern

ConditionalUnits have either two or three sub-units: if, then, (and else). If a match for the if unit can be found, the then unit is executed. Otherwise, if present, the else unit is executed. Note that any changes specified in the if unit are ignored; it is used for matching only.
Examples: Java2StateMachine

Execution-time variability: Parametrization

Henshin Parameters.png

Parameters allow to shape the behavior of units and rules with variable information that is typically not present before execution time. Parameters are declared in the parameter list of a unit. Declared parameters can be used in all String values inside a unit - for instance, in node names, attribute values, attribute conditions, or the iterations condition. Parameters are accessed by name reference. In the graphical editor, the parameter list is shown and edited in the title bar of a unit, following in brackets after the unit name.

At execution time, the variable information is passed in by setting the parameters. Parameters can be set externally using the API or the graphical interpreter wizard. Parameters values that have been set externally are used during matching. Parameters not set externally before matching are set by the matchfinder to the values found in the respective objects. This behavior can be used to propagate values between LHS and RHS elements. Note that unset parameters are only considered in LHS attributes, that is, deleted and preserved attributes. Newly created attributes with parameters neither set by the user nor during matching are ignored.
Examples: Bank Accounts, Ecore2RDB, Ecore2Genmodel, Grid & Comb Pattern, Gossiping Girls, Probabilistic Broadcast

Parameter mappings: In order to pass parameter values between units, it is required to define parameter mappings. A parameter mapping assigns a source parameter to a target parameter.
Examples: Ecore2RDB, Ecore2Genmodel, Grid & Comb Pattern

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