A Methodological Approach for the Coupled Evolution of Metamodels and ATL Transformations

Model-Driven Engineering is a software discipline that relies on (meta) models as first class entities and that aims to develop, maintain and evolve software by exploiting model transformations. Analogously to software, metamodels are subject to evolutionary pressures which might compromise a wide range of artefacts including transformations. In contrast with the problem of metamodel/model co-evolution, the problem of adapting model transformations according to the changes operated on the corresponding metamodels is to a great extent unexplored. This is largely due to its intricacy but also to the difficulty in having a mature process which on one hand is able to evaluate the cost and benefits of adaptations, and on the other hand ensures that consistent methods are used to maintain quality and design integrity during the adaptation. This paper proposes a methodological approach to the coupled evolution of ATL transformations aiming at evaluating its sustainability prior to any adaptation step based on the assessment of change impact significance.