Transformation of Platform-Independent Model into Platform-Specific Model in Model-Driven Architecture

The Model-Driven Architecture approach to software development uses transformation models for transforming Platform-Independent Models (PIM) into Platform-Specific Models (PSM) as its core software development strategy. The Model-Driven Architecture (MDA) approach and corresponding standards of the software development based on models have been initiated by the Object Management Group. In this chapter, the authors analyze the basic models of MDA (i.e., Computational Independent Model [CIM], PIM, and PSM) using a suitable example and formalize the model transformations for transforming PIM into PSM. These transformations have been illustrated through the generation of a Relational Model, an Enterprise Java Bean (EJB) Model, and a Web Model from PIM for the example under consideration, using UML profile, and keeping in mind the property of reusability of models in MDA transformations. The focus has been on the specification and formalization of rules needed to get the Relational PSM, EJB PSM, and Web PSM from PIM. A transformation tool, whose functionality of transformation of PIM into Relational PSM, EJB PSM, and Web PSM, is illustrated in this chapter.