Model Compiler Construction Based on Aspect-Oriented Mechanisms

Model-driven architecture (MDA) aims at automating soft- ware design processes. Design models are divided into platform-independent models (PIMs) and platform-speci c models (PSMs). A model compiler transforms the former models into the latter automatically. We can re- gard PIMs as a new kind of reusable software component because they can be reused even if a platform is changed. However, a generated PSM is useless if it does not satisfy system limitations such as memory us- age and real-time constraints. It is necessary to allow a modeler to customize transformation rules because model modi cations for deal- ing with these limitations may be speci c to an application. However, current model compilers do not provide the modeler su cient customiza- tion methods. In order to tackle this problem, we propose a method for constructing an extensible model compiler based on aspect orientation, a mechanism that modularizes crosscutting concerns. Aspect orientation is useful for platform descriptions because it crosscuts many model el- ements. A modeler can extend model transformation rules by de ning new aspects in the process of modeling. In this paper, an aspect-oriented modeling language called AspectM (Aspect for Modeling) for supporting modeling-level aspects is introduced. Using AspectM, a modeler can de- scribe not only crosscutting concerns related to platforms but also other kinds of crosscutting concerns. We believe that MDA is one of the ap- plications of aspect-oriented mechanisms. The contribution of this paper is to show that a model compiler can actually be constructed based on aspect-oriented mechanisms