research-article

Action semantics for defining dynamic semantics of modeling languages

Authors:

Ivan KurtevAuthors Info & Claims

BM-FA '11: Proceedings of the Third Workshop on Behavioural Modelling

Pages 64 - 71

https://doi.org/10.1145/1993956.1993965

Published: 06 June 2011 Publication History

Abstract

Most languages in Model Driven Engineering (MDE) are defined by metamodels. Metamodels specify the structural aspects of models but do not capture the computational meaning of the modeling constructs (the dynamic semantics). There are several semantic definition frameworks used for programming languages. In this paper we study the suitability of Action Semantics proposed by P. D. Mosses for defining dynamic semantics for modeling languages. Action Semantics provides an intuitive textual notation and allows modular semantic specifications. However, it is originally proposed for grammar-based languages. The application of Action Semantics to metamodel-based languages requires studying how the action notation can be used with graph structures. We built a compiler that translates models to action trees and a simulator that executes action trees. In this way models become executable and their behavior can be studied at an early modeling phase. We implemented several examples to gain experience of using Action Semantics for modeling languages.

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Cited By

Lai QCarpenter ARoubtsova EKindler EMcNeile AAksit M(2012)Defining and verifying behaviour of domain specific language with fUMLProceedings of the Fourth Workshop on Behaviour Modelling - Foundations and Applications10.1145/2325276.2325277(1-7)Online publication date: 3-Jul-2012
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/2325276.2325277

Index Terms

Action semantics for defining dynamic semantics of modeling languages
1. Software and its engineering
  1. Software notations and tools
    1. Formal language definitions
      1. Semantics
    2. General programming languages
      1. Language types
2. Theory of computation
  1. Semantics and reasoning
    1. Program semantics

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BM-FA '11: Proceedings of the Third Workshop on Behavioural Modelling

June 2011

71 pages

ISBN:9781450306171

DOI:10.1145/1993956

Copyright © 2011 ACM.

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Published: 06 June 2011

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BM-FA '11

BM-FA '11: The Third Workshop on Behavioural Modelling - Foundations and Application

June 6, 2011

Birmingham, United Kingdom

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Cited By

Lai QCarpenter ARoubtsova EKindler EMcNeile AAksit M(2012)Defining and verifying behaviour of domain specific language with fUMLProceedings of the Fourth Workshop on Behaviour Modelling - Foundations and Applications10.1145/2325276.2325277(1-7)Online publication date: 3-Jul-2012
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/2325276.2325277

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