Animated simulation of integrated UML behavioral models based on graph transformation

Abstract

This paper shows how integrated UML models combining class, object, use-case, collaboration and state diagrams can be animated in a domain-specific layout. The presented approach is based on graph transformation, i.e., UML model diagrams are translated to a graph transformation system and the behavior of the integrated model is simulated by applications of graph transformation rules. For model validation, users may prefer to see the behavior of selected model aspects as scenarios presented in the layout of the application domain. We propose to integrate animation views with the model's graph transformation system. A prototypical validation system has been implemented recently supporting the automatic translation of a UML model into a graph transformation system, and the interactive execution and simulation of the model behavior. We sketch the tool interconnection to GenGED, a visual language environment which allows to enrich graph transformation systems for model simulation by features for animation.