07 - Code Generation

ucla | CS 130 | 2024-11-20

Table of Contents

Model Driven Development

  • forward engineering - model to code gen
  • backward engineering - code to model gen
  • Model based dev/engineering
    • MBE: Model Based Engineering (to analyze systems)
    • MDE: Model Driven Engineering (to automate engineering activities)
    • MDD: Model Driven Development (to automate software development)
    • MDA: Model Driven Architecture (to practice MDD with the OMG-ObjectManagementGroup standards)

      Abstraction

  • models are abstractions of sw before dev and can be used to automate dev
  • model is abstracted using generic modeling language like UML or domain specific (DSL)
  • models can be transformed to code automatically using a concrete model

    Pro v Con

  • Pros
    • productivity - multiple uses of the same model
    • simplification - SoT is model not code -> easier to analyze
    • portability - same model can be used for diff langs/os/frameworks
    • consistency - gen code is more conistent
  • Cons
    • Maintenance - must develop and maintain code generator
    • Complexity - generated code may be less optimal and more complex than MVP

Code Generators

  • code gen arch
  • Developing a code gen
    • develop modeling language for application domain - syntax, api language, validation
    • develop code gen template using modeling language api
    • develop application model using modeling language and run through template to generate application code

      Modeling Language/Framework

  • lang defined using modeling framework
  • abstract syntax - defined with class diag (metamodel)
  • concrete syntax - defined with textual/visual grammar
  • e.g., Xtext is a FOSS Java framework for defining textual modeling languages
  • e.g., Statemachine lang

    Xtext

  • xtext generates a Java API corresponding to the class diagram of the grammar
  • xtext also generates a validator java class for the lang - each rule is decorated with @check with a parameter of the las type