The EASST Newsletter Volume 13 June 2006

In the paper, we propose various approaches for tool integration based on modeltransformations over the Eclipse Modeling Framework (EMF). EMF is a key technology for toolintegration, which provides a framework for developing domain-specific modeling languagesby automatically generating Java code for model manipulation. Model transformations can becaptured by graph transformation systems, which support visual specifications based on rulesand patterns. Three levels of tool integration are identified: (i) model-level integration carriesout model transformations in existing transformation tools by importing and exporting EMFmodels, (ii) interpreted EMF transformations take an EMF model of the transformation system,and manipulate EMF models according to the system by calling EMF interfaces, finally (iii)compiled transformer plug-ins generate stand-alone transformer programs in Java which areresponsible for model manipulation.