Graph Transforming Java Data

This paper introduces an approach for adding graph transformationbased functionality to existing JAVA programs. The approach relies on a set of annotations to identify the intended graph structure, as well as on user methods to manipulate that structure, within the user’s own JAVA class declarations. Other ingredients are a custom transformation language, called CHART, and a compiler from CHART to JAVA. The generated JAVA code runs against the pre-existing, annotated code. The advantage of the approach is that it allows any JAVA program to be enhanced, non invasively, with declarative graph rules, improving clarity, conciseness and verifiability.