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EATXT: A textual concrete syntax for EAST-ADL

Weixing Zhang, Jörg Holtmann, Daniel Strüber, Jan-Philipp Steghöfer

TL;DR

Blended modeling requires open, industry-grade language engineering artifacts that enable interaction with a single model across textual and graphical notations. The paper presents EATXT, a textual concrete syntax for EAST-ADL built with Xtext, including an editor with enhanced content-assist and a bidirectional serialization flow to EAXML/EATOP for round-tripping. It details architecture, grammar adaptations (implementing missing primitives, removing unnecessary elements, enabling empty elements), content-assist improvements, and serialization strategies, plus demonstrations of prior research usage. The work provides an open-source exemplar to support blended modeling research and practical tooling development in automotive DSLs.

Abstract

Blended modeling is an approach that enables users to interact with a model via multiple notations. In this context, there is a growing need for open-source industry-grade exemplars of languages with available language engineering artifacts, in particular, editors and notations for supporting the creation of models based on a single metamodel in different representations (e.g., textual, graphical, and tabular ones). These exemplars can support the development of advanced solutions to address the practical challenges posed by blended modeling requirements. As one such exemplar, this paper introduces EATXT, a textual concrete syntax for automotive architecture modeling with EAST-ADL, developed in cooperation with an industry partner in the automotive domain. The EATXT editor is based on Xtext and provides basic and advanced features, such as an improved content-assist and serialization specifically addressing blended modeling requirements. We present the editor features and architecture, the implementation approach, and previous use of EATXT in research. The EATXT editor is publicly available, rendering it a valuable resource for language developers.

EATXT: A textual concrete syntax for EAST-ADL

TL;DR

Blended modeling requires open, industry-grade language engineering artifacts that enable interaction with a single model across textual and graphical notations. The paper presents EATXT, a textual concrete syntax for EAST-ADL built with Xtext, including an editor with enhanced content-assist and a bidirectional serialization flow to EAXML/EATOP for round-tripping. It details architecture, grammar adaptations (implementing missing primitives, removing unnecessary elements, enabling empty elements), content-assist improvements, and serialization strategies, plus demonstrations of prior research usage. The work provides an open-source exemplar to support blended modeling research and practical tooling development in automotive DSLs.

Abstract

Blended modeling is an approach that enables users to interact with a model via multiple notations. In this context, there is a growing need for open-source industry-grade exemplars of languages with available language engineering artifacts, in particular, editors and notations for supporting the creation of models based on a single metamodel in different representations (e.g., textual, graphical, and tabular ones). These exemplars can support the development of advanced solutions to address the practical challenges posed by blended modeling requirements. As one such exemplar, this paper introduces EATXT, a textual concrete syntax for automotive architecture modeling with EAST-ADL, developed in cooperation with an industry partner in the automotive domain. The EATXT editor is based on Xtext and provides basic and advanced features, such as an improved content-assist and serialization specifically addressing blended modeling requirements. We present the editor features and architecture, the implementation approach, and previous use of EATXT in research. The EATXT editor is publicly available, rendering it a valuable resource for language developers.
Paper Structure (18 sections, 3 figures)

This paper contains 18 sections, 3 figures.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Background
  3. EAST-ADL and EATOP
  4. Developing metamodel-based textual languages with Xtext
  5. Features of the EATXT Editor
  6. Editor and outline view
  7. Content-assist
  8. Serialization of EAXML
  9. Solution
  10. Architecture
  11. Grammar Adaptation
  12. Implement the incomplete primitive types.
  13. Remove unnecessary elements.
  14. Allow empty elements.
  15. Content-assist
  16. ...and 3 more sections

Figures (3)

  • Figure 1: An overview of the EATXT editor.
  • Figure 2: Serialization to EAXML
  • Figure 3: Architecture for the textual editor for EAST-ADL models and its relationships to EATOP.