Model querying with graphical notation of QVT relations

Abstract

As a standard high-level model transformation language, QVT Relations defines a graphical notation, which provides a concise, intuitive way to specify transformations. However, QVT Relations relies only on the textual language OCL for model querying, leading to verbose and complicated OCL expressions. Here, we present a graphical model query facility based on the checking semantics and pattern matching of QVT Relations. The query facility also borrows from QVT Relations the graphical notation. In addition we propose an approach to map the queries into XSLT to facilitate their execution. We have developed a tool for designing the queries and automatically generating the XSLT programs.