MDA-Transformations from Relations

The Model Driven Architecture (MDA) is an approach to IT systems development fostered by the Object Management Group (OMG). It is based on forming a separation between the specification of a systems essential functionality as a platform independent model (PIM) and the realisation of the system using more detailed and specific platform specification (PSM). It is recognised that specifying the mappings or transformations from PIM to PSM is a key enabling aspect of the MDA approach. Currently the OMG's Request for Proposals (RFP) on techniques and facilities to enable transformations is in progress. In this position paper we discus a technique for specifying transformations that is based on the mathematical foundation of relations. Using these relation specifications we show how the additional definition of some build expressions enables the generation of a transformation engine that will map model instances from either side of the specification to the other. This approach has been proved to work on a number of small case studies, using the KMF code generation tools to build transformation engines from specifications.