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Generate new Java code from old [message #1734571]

Thu, 09 June 2016 09:14

Eclipse User

I am learning xtext/Antlr. I want to transform old java code into new. This is basically to remove references to an older framework and replace them with a newer framework. What advantages do I get by using xtext and not just Antlr ? Which one should I be researching ?

Mohan

Re: Generate new Java code from old [message #1734606 is a reply to message #1734571]

Thu, 09 June 2016 15:48

Eclipse User

id use neither xtext nor antlr but e.g. something like https://github.com/javaparser/javaparser + maybe subsequent frameworks like https://github.com/ftomassetti/java-symbol-solver

Re: Generate new Java code from old [message #1734663 is a reply to message #1734606]

Fri, 10 June 2016 04:36

Eclipse User

I didn't explain it properly. So movement of code means that it is also being transformed. Some techniques involving Spring which is the new framework will be required. The transformation approaches are specific to the code. I am trying to automate it as much as possible using some transformation rules.

Mohan

Re: Generate new Java code from old [message #1734667 is a reply to message #1734663]

Fri, 10 June 2016 04:39

Eclipse User

yes but xtext will not help with the transformation,
of course you can use xtend to write the transformation.

but writing a xtext grammar for java would take LONG even if you reuse https://github.com/lorenzobettini/jbase

=> why not take a parser that already exists.

Re: Generate new Java code from old [message #1734668 is a reply to message #1734667]

Fri, 10 June 2016 04:40

Eclipse User

p.s.

maybe you can use xtext to create a "more" abstract model than pure java.
but the m2m from java to that more abstract model still needs to be done.

and then use a generator to create the java code

Re: Generate new Java code from old [message #1734745 is a reply to message #1734668]

Fri, 10 June 2016 19:21

Eclipse User

Mohan,
There's already existing Java grammar for other parser generators like antlr or javacc.
However, like Christian said, the direct way of parsing the existing code with a ready parser, then generate the code you want can be done easier without any grammar.
The only thing you need is a template engine to spit out the AST into the new format. javaparser seems to be what you want.

Another approach is to convert existing code into xml, then write an XSLT that will give you the new code. Here's some project that you can use to convert java to xml:

http://www.badros.com/greg/JavaML/ and http://www.srcml.org/doc/java_srcML.html

I haven't used either, but if I were you I would convert the existing code to XML then write an XSLT to generate the code I need.

Re: Generate new Java code from old [message #1734827 is a reply to message #1734745]

Mon, 13 June 2016 06:50

Eclipse User

I think I understand. The grammar isn't necessary because I am not validating anything.

I initially thought the Antlr plugin's parser tree was visually useful.

[Updated on: Mon, 13 June 2016 06:52] by Moderator

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