A. Randak, S. Martínez, M. Wimmer: Extending ATLfor Native UML Profile Support: An Experience Report, 3rd International Workshop on Model Transformation with ATL (MtATL) 2011, Zürich; 01.07.2011 in Proceedings of the 3rd International Workshop on Model Transformation with ATL (MtATL) 2011, CEUR Workshop Proceedings, Vol-742 (2011), ISSN: 1613-0073, pages 49 - 62. pdf
With the rise of Model-driven Engineering (MDE) the application field of model transformations broadens drastically. Current model transformation languages provide appropriate support for standard MDE scenarios such as model-to-model transformations specified between metamodels. However, for other transformation scenarios often the escape to predefined APIs for handling specific model manipulationsis required such as is the case for supporting UML profiles in transformations. Thus, the need arises to extend current transformation languagesfor natively supporting such additional model manipulations.In this paper we report on extending ATL for natively supporting UML profiles in transformations. The extension is realized by providing an extended ATL syntax comprising keywords for handling UML profiles which is reduced by a preprocessor based on a Higher-Order Transformation (HOT) again to the standard ATL syntax. In particular, we elaborate on our methodology of extending ATL by presenting the extensionprocess step-by-step as well as reporting on lessons learned. With this experience report we aim at providing design guidelines for extending ATL as well as stimulating the research of providing further extensions for ATL