PTL: A Model Transformation Language based on Logic Programming


Jesus Almendros-Jimenez  (1)
Luis Iribarne  (2)
Jesus Lopez-Fernandez 
(3)
Angel Mora-Segura  (3)


(1)  Information System Group
jalmen@ual.es
http://www.ual.es/~jalmen

(2)  Applied Computing Group
Luis.Iribarne@ual.es
http://www.ual.es/~liribarn

University of Almeria
04120 Almeria
SPAIN
 

(3) Autonomous University of Madrid
SPAIN



Abstract


In this paper we present a model transformation language based on logic programming. The language, called PTL (Prolog based Transformation Language), can be considered as a hybrid language in which ATL (Atlas Transformation Language)-style rules are combined with logic rules for defining transformations. ATL-style rules are used to define mappings from source models to target models while logic rules are used as helpers. The implementation of PTL is based on the encoding of the ATL-style rules by Prolog rules. Thus, PTL makes use of Prolog as a transformation engine. We have provided a declarative semantics to PTL and proved equivalent to the semantics of the encoded program. We have studied an encoding of OCL (Object Constraint Language) with Prolog goals in order to map ATL to PTL. Thus a subset of PTL can be considered equivalent to a subset of ATL. The proposed language can be also used for model validation, that is, for checking constraints on models and transformations. We have equipped our language with debugging and tracing capabilities which help developers to detect programming errors in PTL rules. Additionally, we have developed an Eclipse plugin allowing edition of PTL programs, as well as debugging, tracing and validation. Finally, we have evaluated the language with several transformation examples as well as tested the performance with large models.




Contents


1. PTL interpreter, Debugger and Tracer
2. Examples of transformation
3. Instructions
4. Examples of models
5. Diagrams
6. Auxiliary
7. Eclipse plugin
8. Validation






1.- PTL interpreter, Debugger and Tracer



Source: ptl.pl


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2.- Examples of transformation



a) EntityRelationship to Relational (PTL version): er2rl.ptl
b)
EntityRelationship to Relational (ATL version): er2rl.atl
c) Examples taken from ATL ZOO: download ZIP version [ZIP]
d) Example of benchmarkings: [incquery.ptl]


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3.- Instructions



a) Install SWI-Prolog from
www.swi-prolog.org.

b) Start swi-prolog.


c) Load Prolog-based ATL interpreter:

           
?- [ptl]


d) Call transformation example:

           
?- ptl('er2rl.ptl').


e) Extras:

e.1) Debugging:

                   
?- debug('er2rl.ptl').

   
e.2) Tracing:

                   
?- trace('er2rl.ptl',XMI_Id).

               
where XMI_Id is the XMI Id of some target element.



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4.- Examples of models



XMI sources: model-A.xmi
, model-B.xmi


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5.- Diagrams




[home] [PNG] [PDF]




[home] [PNG] [PDF]



[home] [PNG] [PDF]



[home] [PNG] [PDF]


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6.- Auxiliary

        
  
a) From ECORE to PTL: ecore2ptl.pl


b) From PTL to ECORE: ptl2ecore.pl


c) Loading of XMI files: loading.pl


d) Writing of XMI files: writing.pl



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7.- PTL Eclipse plugin
       

To install the Eclipse plugin:

1. Install SWEProlog from http://www.swi-prolog.org.

2. Download Eclipse plugin: [PTL plugin]

3. Unzip the file and copy the content into the "features" and "plugin" folders.

4. Configure PTL interpreter in Eclipse preferences.

5. Create a "Transformation tool" project in Eclipse.

6. Create source code in folder "Transformers".

7. Run transformation, debugger, tracer and validator from Menu.


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8.- Validation
       
a) PTL validation rules: ptl-validation.pl
b) OCL constraints: ocl-constraints-atl.txt


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(c) Jesús Almendros and Luis Iribarne
University of Almeria, 2014
Department of Informatics
Almeria, Spain