Model-based generation of java code

Abstract

The aim of my project is to study a generation approach and implement a code generation tool with this approach. Generative Programming (GP) is selected and the concept of GP is applied in both modeling and implementation issues. To fulfill the functional requirement, two pieces of software are implemented: U2J OO CASE Tool and Code Generator. U2J OO CASE Tool is a Java program running in Windows. It guides the 5 procedures of code generation. Code generator is one component involved in the procedures which analyzes and processes all the data in the Class diagram, Sequence diagram, Activity diagram, and Use Case diagram of UML. The methodology used is the conversion of (Unified Modeling Language) UML diagrams to XML Metadata Interchange (XMI) file format. Then the XMI file is passed to Code Generator for generating Java code. U2J OO CASE Tool is developed for facilitating the above tasks. When the software system becomes more complicated, the workload of the programmers increases. With the use of OO approach, programmers need the knowledge of UML in order to analyze and interpret the information of system model while the system design and even requirement is added and modified. So U2J OO CASE Tool can analyze the UML diagrams for the programmers. In addition, 100% of code is generated for the programming task. Since Raymond’s project [15] of last year generated about 94% of code, potential exists to improve quality and quantity of the code. Moreover, U2J OO CASE Tool handles the UML diagrams with GP concept while the Code Generator is implemented by the technology of metaprogramming of GP. This makes uses of GP advantages including production of reusable implementation components and highly customized system, as well as better system performance. As a result, by using the U2J OO CASE Tool, system designer can implement the system in the early stage so the implementation cost decreases with less workload of programming. Also reusable components are implemented and this enables the reusability of the systems.