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Extend UML2 (EMF) and still use graphical editing [message #549125]

Sat, 24 July 2010 22:24

Kirsten M. Z.

Messages: 132
Registered: July 2010

Senior Member

Hi @all,

I have to extend UML in order to create a new language "MyLang" based on UML class diagrams. I have already found everything I need in order to create the metamodel of this language based on Ecore.

e.g. my ecore package contains this EClass:
MyClass -> Class

so, I now have an own class type MyClass based on UML2 classes.

Now I want to be able to create a model of "MyLang" graphically. My wish: using an existing graphical Ecore/UML modelling tool. Of course, I don't expect the editor to know my extension and how they can be edited graphically. However, "MyClass" is a "Class", so the editor could display it as regular class ignoring additional attributes he does not know about. I want to be able to add such stuff "by hand" / text editor.

Do you know a suitable editor / approach / technology for my plans?

(BTW: Profiles are NOT what I need)

Thank you very much!

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Re: Extend UML2 (EMF) and still use graphical editing [message #549134 is a reply to message #549125]

Sun, 25 July 2010 01:48

Ed Merks

Messages: 33133
Registered: July 2009

Senior Member

Have you considered using profiles instead? I.e., light weight
extension rather than heavy weight extension... You'll get a lot more
reuse that way.

michlz@gmx.de wrote:
> Hi @all,
>
> I have to extend UML in order to create a new language "MyLang" based
> on UML class diagrams. I have already found everything I need in order
> to create the metamodel of this language based on Ecore.
>
> e.g. my ecore package contains this EClass:
> MyClass -> Class
>
> so, I now have an own class type MyClass based on UML2 classes.
>
> Now I want to be able to create a model of "MyLang" graphically. My
> wish: using an existing graphical Ecore/UML modelling tool. Of course,
> I don't expect the editor to know my extension and how they can be
> edited graphically. However, "MyClass" is a "Class", so the editor
> could display it as regular class ignoring additional attributes he
> does not know about. I want to be able to add such stuff "by hand" /
> text editor.
>
> Do you know a suitable editor / approach / technology for my plans?
>
> (BTW: Profiles are NOT what I need)
>
> Thank you very much!

Ed Merks
Professional Support: https://www.macromodeling.com/

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Re: Extend UML2 (EMF) and still use graphical editing [message #549177 is a reply to message #549134]

Sun, 25 July 2010 21:55

Kirsten M. Z.

Messages: 132
Registered: July 2010

Senior Member

As I said, profiles are not an option.

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Re: Extend UML2 (EMF) and still use graphical editing [message #549203 is a reply to message #549177]

Mon, 26 July 2010 05:28

Ed Willink

Messages: 7655
Registered: July 2009

Senior Member

Hi vultur

Profiles are the 'easy' approach to a user-defined meta-model allowing a
limited form of extensibility.

Meta-models are the more powerful alternative. You can enter meta-models
directly in UML, but since UML provides far more than is necessary for
many meta-models, you may find it easier to use one of the many
compatible approaches for defining an Ecore meta-model

- annotated Java
- XSD schema
- Sample Ecore Tree Editor
- Ecore Tools Diagram editor
- OCLinEcore text editor

If you really want a custom diagram, the UML2 Tools project has a wide
variety of GMF-based editors that can be used as examples. However the
UML2 Tools project is no longer active, and so you will probably find
that the newer Papyrus project offers more extensibility for its
GMF-based editors although fewer UML diagrams are currently supported.

Regards

Ed Willink

On 25/07/2010 22:55, vultur wrote:
> As I said, profiles are not an option.

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Re: Extend UML2 (EMF) and still use graphical editing [message #549313 is a reply to message #549203]

Mon, 26 July 2010 12:47

Kirsten M. Z.

Messages: 132
Registered: July 2010

Senior Member

Yes, I know what profiles are and how they are used. But my research topic enforces me to create a new language based on ecore, UML2 and not a UML2 profile, sorry.

@Edward Willink: So your point is, that I should try the Papyrus project, because an already available GMF-editor (which is based on UML2 ecore spec.) is able to display my language which is derived from UML2 ecore spec.?

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Re: Extend UML2 (EMF) and still use graphical editing [message #549336 is a reply to message #549177]

Mon, 26 July 2010 13:18

Ed Merks

Messages: 33133
Registered: July 2009

Senior Member

You didn't say why. You'd have a much easier time decorating base
instances than you will extending the model (not too hard; the
documentation page for UML2 has information about heavy and light weight
extension) and then extending the tools as well (not an easy thing at
all, especially given so little active development and so little
newsgroup help).

vultur wrote:
> As I said, profiles are not an option.

Ed Merks
Professional Support: https://www.macromodeling.com/

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Re: Extend UML2 (EMF) and still use graphical editing [message #549455 is a reply to message #549313]

Mon, 26 July 2010 16:28

Ed Willink

Messages: 7655
Registered: July 2009

Senior Member

Hi Vultur

> @Edward Willink: So your point is, that I should try the Papyrus
> project, because an already available GMF-editor (which is based on UML2
> ecore spec.) is able to display my language which is derived from UML2
> ecore spec.?

Not exactly.

If your research is creating an alternate domain, the UML2Tools/Papyrus
may be a useful source of copy and poaste ideas, but you will probably
want to prune quite a lot.

If yoiur reasearch is creating an esxtended domain; perhaps a new UML
diagram, then the UML2Tools/Papyrus may be a very useful source of copy
and poaste ideas and possibly provide some enhanced generators.

My own experiences with direct GMF are that you can have a fair number
of encouraging good days, but also too many difficult bad days that need
considerable insight to make progress from. Anything that helps myst be
good.

Regards

Ed Willink

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