A Linda-based platform for the parallel execution of out-place model transformations

ContextThe performance and scalability of model transformations is gaining interest as industry is progressively adopting model-driven techniques and multicore computers are becoming commonplace. However, existing model transformation engines are mostly based on sequential and in-memory execution strategies, and thus their capabilities to transform large models in parallel and distributed environments are limited.ObjectiveThis paper presents a solution that provides concurrency and distribution to model transformations.MethodInspired by the concepts and principles of the Linda coordination language, and the use of data parallelism to achieve parallelization, a novel Java-based execution platform is introduced. It offers a set of core features for the parallel execution of out-place transformations that can be used as a target for high-level transformation language compilers.ResultsSignificant gains in performance and scalability of this platform are reported with regard to existing model transformation solutions. These results are demonstrated by running a model transformation test suite, and by its comparison against several state-of-the-art model transformation engines.ConclusionOur Linda-based approach to the concurrent execution of model transformations can serve as a platform for their scalable and efficient implementation in parallel and distributed environments.