Using slicing techniques to support scalable rigorous analysis of class models
Date
2015
Authors
Sun, Wuliang, author
Ray, Indrakshi, advisor
Bieman, James M., committee member
Malaiya, Yashwant K., committee member
Cooley, Daniel S., committee member
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Abstract
Slicing is a reduction technique that has been applied to class models to support model comprehension, analysis, and other modeling activities. In particular, slicing techniques can be used to produce class model fragments that include only those elements needed to analyze semantic properties of interest. However, many of the existing class model slicing techniques do not take constraints (invariants and operation contracts) expressed in auxiliary constraint languages into consideration when producing model slices. Their applicability is thus limited to situations in which the determination of slices does not require information found in constraints. In this dissertation we describe our work on class model slicing techniques that take into consideration constraints expressed in the Object Constraint Language (OCL). The slicing techniques described in the dissertation can be used to produce model fragments that each consists of only the model elements needed to analyze specified properties. The slicing techniques are intended to enhance the scalability of class model analysis that involves (1) checking conformance between an object configuration and a class model with specified invariants and (2) analyzing sequences of operation invocations to uncover invariant violations. The slicing techniques are used to produce model fragments that can be analyzed separately. An evaluation we performed provides evidence that the proposed slicing techniques can significantly reduce the time to perform the analysis.
Description
Rights Access
Subject
slicing
class model
UML