Revision as of 07:36, 6 October 2016

Moka Overview

Moka is a Papyrus module for execution of UML models, which natively includes an execution engine complying with OMG standards foundational UML (fUML [1]) and Precise Semantics of UML Composite Structures (PSCS [2]). These standards deal with execution semantics of UML. Moka is integrated with the Eclipse debug framework to provide control, observation and animation facilities over executions. Moka can be easily extended to support alternative execution semantics, and thereby be adapted to multiple usage scenarios and domains. The key features of Moka are:

Based on standards

Moka provides basic execution and debugging facilities for fUML and its extension PSCS, which capture an executable subset of UML with precise and standard semantics. This subset is expressive enough to model structure and behavior of systems involving concurrent communicating entities, independently of technological platform details.

Interactive executions

Moka provides debug and animation facilities through a contribution and an extension to the Eclipse debug API. It is thereby possible to control execution of models(e.g., suspending/resuming executions after breakpoints have been encountered) as well as to observing states of executed models at runtime (e.g., emphasizing graphical views of model elements on which execution has suspended, retrieving and displaying any state information about the runtime manifestation of these model elements).

Extensible framework

Moka can be easily extended to address new execution semantics. This can be done through extension points enabling registration of executable model libraries (e.g., new MoCs, trace libraries, etc.) or simply tool-level extensions of the execution engine.

Moka Releases

Update sites

Moka Papryus and Eclipse
Since Neon version Moka became a Papyrus component. It is now evolving on its repository and provides its own update site. This situation is different from previous Eclipse versions where Moka was released directly through Papyrus. Hence if you use Eclipse Neon and want to install Moka the you must use the update site provided below. In any other case (i.e., you use a previous version of Eclipse) then you must install Moka by using the Papyrus update site.

Neon

• Nightly
  • Moka - https://hudson.eclipse.org/papyrus/view/Moka/job/papyrus-moka-neon/ws/releng/org.eclipse.papyrus.moka.p2/target/repository/
• Releases
  • Moka 2.0.0 - http://download.eclipse.org/modeling/mdt/papyrus/components/moka/neon
• Improvements
  • Moka Core:
    • Improved rendering of animation.
    • Improved debugging environment.
  • Moka tools:
    • Simex: Set of accelerators to ease specification of executable models.
  • Moka FMI
    • FMI importer: Enables to import any FMU and give it a representation in a UML model
    • FMI exporter: Enables to export FMUs from UML models (with some restrictions on the kind of supported model elements, and no support for rollback)
    • FMI profile: Used for the representation of FMUs, and FMU assemblies
    • FMI master : A generic master algorithm, capable of co-simulating a mix of imported/assembled FMUs and UML components (with behaviors specified as regular UML activities and/or state machines)

Getting started with Moka

Installation

The process of installing Moka must be achieved following the steps described below:

1. Go Help - Install New Software.
   • 
2. Add the Nebula update site to the list of available update sites.
   • Nebula - http://download.eclipse.org/nebula/releases/1.0.0
   • 
3. Add the Moka update site to the list of available update sites.
   • 
4. Select the Moka feature(s) you would like to install and click Next.
   • Moka provides two features:
     • Moka Core: Provide the basics software components to perform model execution. Execution engines, debugger and animator are included in that feature.
     • Moka for Co-simulation: Provide the software components implementing a support for FMI in Moka.
   • 

Your first executable model

This tutorial is based on a simple executable model. It consists in an active class, with a classifier behavior that indefinitely increments a counter. The corresponding Papyrus model is available here File:BasicActiveObjectExample.zip. Download it, define a project in your workspace, and then import the model in this project. Once the model is imported and open in Papyrus, the Increment class should look like:

The behaviors associated with this class (i.e., IncrementClassifierBehavior, which is the classifier behavior, and incrementMethod, which is the implementation of operation increment) are specified by activity diagrams. Corresponding activities are executable, according to the semantics given in OMG standards fUML and PSCS. Anyway, in fUML and PSCS, the execution of a model usually starts by executing a kind of "main" activity, which is responsible for instantiating objects, and stimulate them if needed (through signals or operation calls). Moka provides some facilities to generate this kind of activities. Just right click on class Increment, then go to Moka / Modeling Utils / Generate Factory.

A factory activity for class Increment (Increment_Factory in the figure below) is then generated. This activity will be used in the next steps of this tutorial to actually start the execution of the model. Do not forget to save your model, otherwise the factory will not be visible in the launch configuration definition step described below in this tutorial.

Note 24/07/2014: In Papyrus 1.0, this generation step does not work correctly if validation rules for UML models are activated. The problem is fixed in the nightly build. If you don't want to use the nigtly build version, a possible workaround is to deactivate the validateUMLModel contraints before generating. This can be done through the model explorer contextual menu, or through Eclipse preferences.

Selecting the execution engine

Since Moka is an extensible execution framework, multiple execution engines can be registered in your environment. Before starting an execution, you should make sure that the appropriate execution engine is selected. To do so, go to Eclipse preferences, as shown in the figure below.

Once the preference page is open, go to Papyrus/Moka. Moka is released with 3 execution engines. There are two versions of the PSCS execution engine (one is multi-threaded, with on thread per active object, and the other one is single-threaded). There is also an implementation of the fUML execution engine.

To make sure that the Increment example properly executes, you should select one of the two PSCS engines, press Apply and then OK.

Starting an execution with a launch configuration

Moka is integrated with the Eclipse Debug Framework. It implies that, in order to start an execution, a launch configuration has to be defined. A launch configuration can be created by clicking on the "Debug As" tool from the Eclipse tool bar, and then by pressing Debug Configurations.

Then create a new Moka launch configuration, as shown in the figure below.

A Moka launch configuration requires two pieces of information: the UML model from which the execution will be started, and the actual model element to be executed.

Press the Browse button to select a UML model from your workspace (a .uml file shall be selected). Then, select the actual model element to be executed in the list "Element to be executed". This list is sorted alphabetically, by qualified names. Note that, in the case of the fUML and PSCS execution engines provided by Moka, the "Element to be executed" shall be an Activity. Your launch configuration should now look like:

To start the execution, simply press the Debug button. In our example, according to the semantics of PSCS, the effect of executing activity Increment_Factory will be to instantiate an Increment object, to construct this object (please refer to the default construction strategy described in the PSCS specification), and then start its classifier behavior. Our increment object will start to increment, and will go on until you stop the execution.

Note that a Launch configuration is a persistent artifact, so that, if you close Papyrus and then open it again, your launch configuration will still be available, and you will be able to relaunch it.

Managing breakpoints

In order to easily observe and control the state of you model at some specific points of the execution, Moka lets you associate breakpoints with model elements. This can be done through the contextual menu Moka/Debug, which is available from the model explorer and from diagrams.

Once a breakpoint has been created, a small icon (blue circle) appears on top of the corresponding model element.

Using the Moka/Debug menu, an existing breakpoing can also be de-activated (without being removed), using the "Toggle breakpoint activation" button. In this case, it will be depicted by a small white circle on top of the corresponding model element.

The set of existing breakpoints (as well as their status - Enabled / Disabled) is given in the breakpoint control panel, which is usually located in the upper, righ-hand part of the Debug perspective.

The breakpoint control panel more generally lets you enable, disable and remove breakpoints. Just right click in the panel, as depicted in the figure below.

From an execution standpoint, it is important to note that the selected execution engine (see section on "Selecting the execution engine") is responsible for interpreting breakpoints. In the case of the fUML and PSCS execution engines provided by Moka, only breakpoints associated with activity nodes or edges will be taken into account (even if Moka lets you associate breakpoints with any kind of model element). Other breakpoints are simply ignored.

Controlling Executions

Executions can be controlled using the execution control panel, provided by the Eclipse Debug perspective.

It is thereby possible to resume, suspend, stop, or even do step-by-step executions. Note also that, when execution is suspended, variables may be observable in the variable panel.

The selected execution engine is responsible to determine what the visible variables are in the context of an execution. In the case of the fUML and PSCS engines provided by Moka, visible variables are properties of the context object in which in the suspended activity is executing (in our example, the suspended activity is the classifier behavior of class Increment, which executes in the context of a particular Increment object, which holds a value for property counter).

Configuring animation

By default, Moka is configured to animate diagrams during executions, without automatically giving focus / making visible a diagram where a model element being executed has a graphical representation. This can be configured in the Animation control panel, which is available in the Debug perspective.

The slide bar enables to control the artificial animation delay between two animation steps. Note that option "Open diagrams automatically" may decrease performances of the execution engine. By default, Moka is released with some default animation styles, which determine the emphasis style to be applied to graphical elements when the execution is suspended, or more generally for animation. This default style can be overloaded per diagram, by attaching a CSS style sheet, as depicted in the figures below.

Design FMUs with Papyrus [section under construction]

Configuration

After installation of Moka, a few configuration steps are required before starting this tutorial.

Activation of the Papyrus viewpoint for executable modeling

Moka provides a dedicated Papyrus viewpoint to ease executable modeling. It includes simplified palettes for class, composite structure, and activity diagrams. We recommand to use this viewpoint to improve the user experience. Before creating your first model, the viewpoint shall be activated as follows:

• From the Eclipse menu, click on Window / Preferences
• In the Preferences popup, open the Papyrus item, then select item « Viewpoints Configuration »
• In section « Configuration selection », select « Deployed through the extension point »
• In section « Viewpoint selection », select « Simex Designer » in the « Stakeholder » list, and « Simex Viewpoint » in the « Viewpoint » list. The resulting configuration looks like:

Activation of the Papyrus Perspective

Papyrus provides an Eclipse perspective for UML modeling. This perspective is not activated by default after installation. It shall be activated as follows:

• From the Eclipse toolbar, click on Window / Perspective / Open perspective / Other
• In the dialog, select Papyrus

Modeling and debugging FMUs

This section describes the principles for modeling and debugging FMUs with Papyrus, through several model examples. Each sub-section reminds the main points illustrated in the tutorial videos available on the Papyrus Youtube channel. The videos provide a step-by-step guide to create the various models.

These examples are directly available in a model provided with Papyrus/Moka. To retrieve the model :

• Step 1: If a project is already available, follow directly step 2. Otherwise, create a new project from the project explorer, as illustrated in the figures below:

• Step 2: From the project, righ click, and select New Example as illustrated below

• Step 3: select FMU Tutorial Model Example from the wizard, as illustrated below

The model contains 10 numbered packages. Each package corresponds to examples described in the following subsections.

Basic principles

This section summarizes the main points illustrated in tutorial video 01 - Creating an FMU.

Modelling

• Step 1: Creation of the project
  • From the project explorer, right click, then New / Papyrus Project
  • From the wizard, select UML as the modeling language
  • From the following wizard, name the project and the model
  • From the following wizard, name the root element of the model
• Step 2: Applying the FMI 2.0 profile on the model
  • In the model explorer, select the model created at step 1 (a)
  • Select tab « Profile », click on button « Apply registered profile », select « FMI 2.0 Profile », then check FMIProfile in the wizard.
• Step 3: Importing model libraries
  • Right click on the model from the mdoel explorer, then Import / Import Registered Package
  • Select FoundationalModelLibrary in the wizard. This library is defined as part of the OMG standard fUML. It provides basic functions (arithmetics, logic, etc.) useful to describe FMU behaviors..
  • Repeat the Operation to import library UMLPrimitiveTypes, which defines UML basic types (Integer, Real, Boolean and String), used to type inputs and outputs of FMUs, as well as internal variables.
• Step 4: Creating an FMU
  • In a class diagram, create a new Class. This class represents the FMU. It will be, in the end, the exported element.
  • This class shall be active (Note: in fUML, the instanciation of an active class implies the start of its behavior). Property « is active » is available in the property view associated with the class. It must be set to « true ».
  • Apply stereotype CS_FMU (which stands for Co-Simulation FMU), in order to identify that this class actually represents an FMU.
• Step 5: Defining the FMU’s behavior
  • From the model explorer, select the classe, then right click, New Diagram / New Activity Diagram
  • Once the activity is created, select the class again from the model explorer, select the « Advanced » tab of the property view. In the « Classifier Behavior » field, select the activity created previously.
• Step 6: Defining inputs and outputs of the FMU
  • Create a new port on the class representing the FMU
  • Type the port with one of the following UML primitive types: Integer, Real, String, Boolean.
  • Select the port, select the stereotype tab, and apply stereotype « Port » (cf. step 2 about stereotype application).
  • Assign a direction to the port (in or out)
  • Set the value of field valueReference with an integer. Note : Each port of the FMU shall have a unique valueReference

Debugging

• Step 1: Switch to the Moka Debug perspective
• Step 2: Define a new Moka launch configuration
  • In the « UML Model » field, select the .uml file containing the FMU to be executed
  • In the « Element to be executed » field, select the FMU that you want to debug
  • In the « Execution Engine » field, select org.eclipse.papyrus.moka.fmu.engine.debug
  • Click on Apply, and then Debug to launch the execution.
• Step 3: Controlling the execution of the FMU
  • Once the launch configuration is started, a dialog box appears, as illustrated below. This dialog box provides a simple interface which enables the user to act as a master for the FMU.

• • Click on button Init to start the execution of the FMU’s behavior. Inputs and Outputs are initialized with default values provided in the model.
  • Click on button Step to perform a simulation step. The step time size is determined by field Step size. This value can be changed by the user between two simulation steps.
  • To modify the value of an input before a simulation step, click on the name of the port in the « name » column, and edit the value in the « value » column. Note : a semantic check is performed when entering the value. If the value is incorrect (for example, an integer is given while a boolean is expected) the « step » button is deactivated.
  • When the user closes the window, the simulation stops.

Reacting at an absolute date

This section summarizes the main points illustrated in tutorial video 02 - Modeling reactions at absolute dates in an FMU .

Modeling a reactive behavior requires an AcceptEventAction in the activity defining the classifier behavior of the FMU:

• Step 1: Creation of a TimeEvent
  • From the model explorer, right click, New Child / TimeEvent
  • Select the TimeEvent in the model explorer, and switch to the UML tab in the property view
  • In the « When » field, click on icon « + »
  • In the popup, field « Expr », click on icon « + », and select LiteralReal
  • In the next popup, field « value », put the absolute date as a real (e.g., 2.0)
• Step 2: Creation of an AcceptEventAction
  • In the activity diagram of the FMU’s Classifier Behavior, create a new AcceptEventAction
  • On the « trigger » field, click on icon « + »
  • In the popup, field Event, click on icon « … »
  • In the following popup, select the TimeEvent created at the previous step

The figure below illustrates a behavior modeled according to these principles, where the FMU starts its execution, interrupts until date 2.0, and then terminates its execution.

Reacting at a relative date

This section summarizes the main points illustrated in tutorial video 03 - Modeling reactions at relative dates in an FMU .

The modeling pattern is the same as for a reaction at an absolute date, except for the following point: for the TimeEvent, set the « Is Relative » field to true. The figure below illustrates a behavior modeled following these principles, where the FMU starts its execution, interrupts until date 2.0 (absolute TimeEvent), intterupts for 0.5 additionnal time units (relative TimeEvent), and then terminates its execution.

Modeling computations

This section summarizes the main points illustrated in tutorial video 04 - Some basic computation in an FMU.

In the example described below, computations are grouped inside an operation in order to improve readability of the model. However, they could have been specified directly in the Classifier Behavior of the FMU.

• Step 1: Declaring the operation
  • In the class diagram of the FMU, create a new operation on the FMU using the palette.
  • Select the Operation, and add required parameters through the property view. Parameters must be named, typed, and have a direction (in, out, or return). For output parameters, the operation can have either a single parameter with direction « return », or 1 or more parameters with direction « out » (Note: These constraints are imposed by OMG standard fUML). In the example illustrated in the figure below, FMU A owns an operation « test », with one input parameter « threshold » of type Integer, and one output parameter (return) of type Boolean.

Modeling a periodic loop (v1)

Modeling a periodic loop (v2)

Reacting to a value change on an input

Reacting to an input change in an infinite loop (v1)

Reacting to an input change in an infinite loop (v2)

Loop with stop condition

Exporting an FMU

Available model libraries

A generic controller for Active Objects

Stimulate your active objects with signals and observe their reactions