Simplified view generation in a deep view-based modeling environment

Projective modeling environments offer a more efficient and scalable way of supporting multiple views of large software systems than traditional, synthesis-based approaches to view-based development. However, the definition of the view projection transformations needed to create views, on demand, from the single underlying model and ensure that they remain synchronized is a complex and time-consuming process. In particular, to make views editable, the projection process involves the creation of “traces” to map view model elements to their sources in the single underlying model. While this is unavoidable for most view types, for a commonly occurring special case this level of complexity is not required. In this paper we therefore present a simpler approach, based on the OCL language, which simplifies the projection definitions for this kind of view. The approach is defined in the context of a deep, view-based modeling environment which combines support for views with multi-level modeling in order to seamlessly cover all phases of a system’s life cycle