A Model-Based Approach to Impact Analysis Using Model Differencing

arXiv (Cornell University), vol. 65

Abstract

Impact analysis is concerned with the identification of consequences of changes and is therefore an important activity for software evolution. In model-based software development, models are core artifacts, which are often used to generate essential parts of a software system. Changes to a model can thus substantially affect different artifacts of a software system. In this paper, we propose a model-based approach to impact analysis, in which explicit impact rules can be specified in a domain specific language (DSL). These impact rules define consequences of designated UML class diagram changes on software artifacts and the need of dependent activities such as data evolution. The UML class diagram changes are identified automatically using model differencing. The advantage of using explicit impact rules is that they enable the formalization of knowledge about a product. By explicitly defining this knowledge, it is possible to create a checklist with hints about development steps that are (potentially) necessary to manage the evolution. To validate the feasibility of our approach, we provide results of a case study.

Authors 1

1. Bernhard Rumpe⋆ Aachen

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   RWTH Aachen University

   [Rwth Aachen University]