System Model-Based Definition of Modeling Language Semantics

TL;DR

This paper introduces a system model-based approach to define semantics for object-oriented modeling languages, supporting underspecified models with a detailed, reusable semantic domain that facilitates integration and tool support.

Contribution

It proposes a flexible, predicate-based semantics framework using a detailed system model that supports underspecified models and simplifies language integration.

Findings

Supports underspecified and incomplete models

Enables straightforward language semantics integration

Provides machine-checkable tool support

Abstract

In this paper, we present an approach to define the semantics for object-oriented modeling languages. One important property of this semantics is to support underspecified and incomplete models. To this end, semantics is given as predicates over elements of the semantic domain. This domain is called the system model which is a general declarative characterization of object systems. The system model is very detailed since it captures various relevant structural, behavioral, and interaction aspects. This allows us to re-use the system model as a domain for various kinds of object-oriented modeling languages. As a major consequence the integration of language semantics is straight-forward. The whole approach is supported by tools that do not constrain the semantics definition's expressiveness and flexibility while making it machinecheckable.