This document presents EMF Views, a model view approach for integrating heterogeneous models. It introduces key challenges in inter-model integration like genericity, expressivity, and non-intrusiveness. EMF Views addresses these through a viewpoint definition language (VPDL) that allows defining virtual metamodels and models using SELECT-PROJECT-JOIN queries over existing models. It provides an Eclipse-based implementation where viewpoints are defined in VPDL files and views are generated at runtime based on the definitions and referenced models. Future work includes improving the VPDL, handling view updates, and adding persistence and validation capabilities.

1. EMF Views:
A View Mechanism for
Integrating Heterogeneous Models
Hugo Bruneliere, Jokin Garcia,
Manuel Wimmer and Jordi Cabot
ER 2015 @ Stockholm, Sweden
Monday 19th of October 2015

2. Model Views – (Industrial) Motivation

3. Model Views – Base Idea
Modeling
World
Database
World
IT Architect
Decision-maker
IT Engineer
SELECT
PROJECT
JOIN

4. Model Views – State-of-the-art (1/3)
● Views in databases (relational, OO)
● Views in modeling languages (UML, ER)
 intra-model ones...
● What about inter-model views?

5. Model Views – State-of-the-art (2/3)
● Multi-viewpoint modeling
o Single base, generative, mappings...
Model a3
Model a2
Model a1
Multi-viewpoint
Mechanism
Model a

6. Model Views – State-of-the-art (3/3)
● Traditional model composition
o Common model (~view) from connected ones
o Merge, inheritance, generative...
Model c
Model b
Model a
Composition
Mechanism
Model abc

7. Model Views – Key Challenges (1/2)
● Genericity
o All modeling languages
● Expressivity
o SELECT-PROJECT-JOIN-like
● Non-intrusiveness
o Existing models preserved
● Interoperability
o View = regular model

8. Model Views – Key Challenges (2/2)
● Modifiability
o Changeables views
● Synchronization
o View ↔ Model(s)
● Scalability
o View creation/handling,
memory vs. CPU

9. EMF Views – Proposition/Contribution
Model view approach for easier
heterogenous models integration
Virtualization framework for viewpoints/views
SQL-like ViewPoint Definition Language
(a.k.a. VPDL)

10. EMF Views – Conceptual Approach
View Builder
(Virtualization)
Viewpoint Builder
(Virtualization)
Mode l c
Model b
Metamodel C
Runtime
Design time1
2
Viewpoint
(virtual
metamodel)
View
(virtual model)
Metamodel B
Metamodel A
Model a
Conforms to
Conforms to
Weaving
model
VPDL fileDesigner
Weaving
model
User

11. EMF Views – @ Design Time
m2t
Viewpoint
Builder
(Virtualization)
Weaving model
Viewpoint file
VPDL file
Designer
Matching file
Refers to
Metamodel C
Metamodel B
Metamodel A

12. EMF Views – @ Runtime
View
Builder
(Virtualization)
Weaving model
User
View file
generation
Viewpoint file
(+ matching file)
Refers to
Model c
Model b
Model a

13. EMF Views –
ViewPoint Definition Language (1/2)
Operator Description
CREATE VIEW
Name,
contributing metamodels
SELECT
Attributes/relations to be shown
(or * for all)
FROM (JOIN)
Linked concepts,
name of new relations
WHERE
(OCL) constraints for filters,
connections, etc.

14. EMF Views –
ViewPoint Definition Language (2/2)
● Simple viewpoint definition 
TOGAF/BPMN/ReqIf integration...

15. EMF Views – Eclipse-based tooling
● Short demonstration...

16. Conclusion & Future Work
● Model view approach
o Architecture + DSL
o EMF-based solution
● What’s next?
o VPDL v1.x or v2.0...
o View update problem...
o Persistence…
o Validation…

17. Questions? Comments?
● http://atlanmod.github.io/emfviews
● Contact persons:
o Hugo Bruneliere - hugo.bruneliere@inria.fr
o Jokin Garcia (impl.) - jokin.garcia-perez@inria.fr