Understanding of Heterogeneous Multi-Stage Meta-Programs

The paper analyzes an approach to understanding heterogeneous meta-programs and multi-stage metaprograms. At the core of the approach is human-centred analysis combined with the Brook’s program cognition theory and the concept of reverse engineering. The use of the approach leads to extracting higher-level models (graphs representing meta-parameter — meta-function relationship models, feature diagrams and algorithms) from correct meta-specifications. The models and processes enable not only to better understand the multi-stage heterogeneous meta-programs but also to contribute to their evolution. The paper describes some properties of the multi-stage heterogeneous meta-programs. The approach is supported by the case study and complexity evaluation.