A Generic Framework for Automated Quality Assurance of Software Models –Implementation of an Abstract Syntax Tree

Abstract Syntax Tree’s (AST) are used in language tools, such as compilers, language translators and transformers as well as analysers; to remove syntax and are therefore an ideal construct for a language independent tool. AST’s are also commonly used in static analysis. This increases the value of ASTs for use within a universal Quality Assurance (QA) tool. The Object Management Group (OMG) have outlined a Generic AST Meta-model (GASTM) which may be used to implement the internal representation (IR) for this tool. This paper discusses the implementation and modifications made to the previously published proposal, to use the Object Management Group developed Generic Abstract Syntax Tree Meta-model corecomponents as an internal representation for an automated quality assurance framework. Keywords—software quality assurance; software testing; automated software engineering; programming language paradigms; language independence; abstract syntax tree; static analysis; dynamic analysis