A formal definition of the structural semantics of Domain-Specific Modeling languages

Abstract

As a Model-Driven Development methodology (MDD) for the specific domain, Domain-Specific Modeling (DSM) has been widely and successfully used in system design and analysis of specific areas. In spite of its general important, due to informal definition of Domain-Specific Modeling Language (DSMLs), the structural semantics of DSMLs cannot be strictly described and the properties based on it also cannot be analyzed and validated. In response, the paper proposes a formal definition method of the structural semantics of DSMLs. Firstly, a formal definition of domain indicating structural semantics of DSMLs based on algebra is presented to unify DSMLs and its models in the domain, secondly, a mapping mechanism from domain to the corresponding first-order logic system is established to finish analysis and validation of properties of domain such as consistency based on first-order logical inference, based on this, the method of formalization and consistency analysis and validation of structural semantics of DSMLs based on first-order logic is presented, finally, the formalization automatic mapping engine for model and metamodel is introduced to show the application of formalization of structural semantics in analysis and validation of properties of models.