MDA : write transformation (beginner)

[Gueu]

Hello,

I am a beginner with EA.
I am trying to write MDA transformation. I read the manuel and searched on the web site but I still do not understand some points.

How may diagrams be created ?
In my exemple, I want to create some object and then an empty (no message inside but lifelines and actors placed) sequence diagram that the user will complete with message after.

I think I understood how create the object (from other object), but I did not find how drawing the diagram.

May someone explain me or link me to some explaination.

Thank you.

Gueu

(sorry, it might be rubbish english, it is not my natural langauage)

[Uffe]

Hi Gueu,


I am pretty sure (but not entirely sure) that you can't create diagrams using the Transform templates. There are hooks for UML Elements and UML Connectors, but not for UML Diagrams.

In order to do that, I think you have to go for the Automation Interface.

Cheers,


/Uffe

[«Midnight»]

I've wondered about this for some time. EA seems to expect you to specify a target package for transformations. That's fine, but makes me wonder about transforming anything with hierarchical structure.

The documentation says that the transformation language is strongly influenced by the code generation language. I wonder if tweaking some of the code generation options (the general options, not the language-specific stuff) might affect transformation behavior. Something along the lines of changes to the options on the Import Directory Structure dialog. This dialog includes the Create Logical Diagram for Each Package option, as well as other 'interesting' candidates.

Thus far I have not had the time (or courage) to conduct the necessary experiments. Has anyone tried this?

[Gueu]

First, thank you for your answers.

On the website, the video tour shows used of MDA transforms. And it is creating Diagrams.

So, I think it is possible to create some.

Is there someone who already used MDA transforms ?

[Uffe]

Hi again,

I've done a few. The transform process auto-generates a logical diagram for each package. You're after creating a sequence diagram and that's something else altogether.
If the video you're referring to is the bookstore example where the model is transformed to WSDL, the WSDL transform is included with EA, code and all. It contains nothing which explicitly creates diagrams.

My money's still with the Automation Interface.

/Uffe

[Gueu]

Ok,

So MDA transform just create logical diagrams.

I will deep the way of Automation Interface.

Gueu