Program transformations for re-engineering C++ components [OOPSLA/GPCE]

ABSTRACT

Component-based software engineering enables applications to be assembled from component parts that adhere to a component-style specific interface specification and protocol. Components available for one style are not available for another. Component styles evolve, too, which can obsolete components using a legacy style. This creates a demand for migrating components from one style to another, which can require complex changes to the component source code. For a large component library, doing this manually is likely prohibitive. An alternative is to apply automated program transformations to carry out the changes.

Using source-to-source transformations on real code requires a scalable, robust program transformation technology. Such technologies are difficult to justify for single applications. DMS' is a commercial program transformation system which has been used to transform many programming languages, including C++, C#, Java and ObjectPascal. It is parameterized by language and desired task, enabling its infrastructure costs to be amortized across many different software analysis or change applications.

This demonstration shows a concrete example of DMS program transformations being used to migrate legacy C++ components from a Boeing distributed avionics software system, using a Boeing proprietary component format, to a CORBA component style. The conversion requires nontrivial understanding and manipulation of the C++ source code. It will explain the component migration problem to be solved, show some of the transformations, and actually convert a component.

REFERENCES

• 1: Ira D. Baxter , Christopher Pidgeon , Michael Mehlich, DMS®: Program Transformations for Practical Scalable Software Evolution, Proceedings of the 26th International Conference on Software Engineering, p.625-634, May 23-28, 2004
• 2: Semantic Designs, Inc. web site, www.semanticdesigns.com.
• 3: Sharp, D. C., Reducing Avionics Software Cost Through Component Based Product Line Development, Proceedings of the 1998 Software Technology.
• 4: Gidding, V., Beckwith, B., Real-time CORBA Tutorial, OMG's Workshop on Distributed Object Computing For Real-Time and Embedded Systems, www.omg.org/news/meetings/workshops/rt_embedded2003.html <http://www.omg.org/news/meetings/workshops/rt_embedded2003.html>, 2003.

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  D. Software
  D.1 PROGRAMMING TECHNIQUES
      D.1.2 Automatic Programming

Additional Classification:
  D. Software
  D.2 SOFTWARE ENGINEERING
        D.2.13 Reusable Software
            Subjects: Domain engineering
      D.2.2 Design Tools and Techniques
          Subjects: Computer-aided software engineering (CASE)
      D.2.7 Distribution, Maintenance, and Enhancement
          Subjects: Restructuring, reverse engineering, and reengineering
  D.3 PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
      D.3.4 Processors
          Subjects: Code generation; Parsing; Translator writing systems and compiler generators

General Terms:
Algorithms, Design, Economics, Languages, Management

Keywords:
C++, abstract syntax trees, compilers, component architectures, legacy systems, migration, patterns, re-engineering, rewrite rules, software analysis, software transformation