Generating Assertion Code from OCL: A Transformational Approach Based on Similarities of Implementation Languages

The Object Constraint Language (OCL) carries a platform independent characteristic allowing it to be decoupled from implementation details, and therefore it is widely applied in model transformations used by model-driven development techniques. However, OCL call he found tremendously useful in the implementation phase aiding assertion code generation and allowing system verification. Yet, taking full advantage of OCL without destroying its platform independence is a difficult task. This paper proposes an approach for generating assertion code front OCL constraints by using a model transformation technique to abstract language specific details away from OCL high-level concepts, showing wide applicability of model transformation techniques. We take advantage of structural similarities of implementation to describe a rewriting framework. which is used to easily and flexibly reformulate OCL constraints into ally target language, making them executable oil any platform. A tool is implemented to demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach.