Feature-based survey of model transformation approaches.

INTRODUCTION

Model-driven software development is centered on the use of models. (1) Models are system abstractions that allow developers and other stakeholders to effectively address concerns, such as answering a question about the system or effecting a change. Examples of model-driven approaches are Model Driven Architecture ** (MDA **), (2,3) Model-Integrated Computing (MIC), (4) and Software Factories. (5) Software Factories, with their focus on automating product development in a product-line context, can also be viewed as an instance of generative software development. (6)

Model transformations are touted to play a key role in Model Driven Development ** (MDD **). Their intended applications include the following:

[] Generating lower-level models, and eventually code, from higher-level models (7)

[] Mapping and synchronizing among models at the same level or different levels of abstraction (8)

[] Creatin