Modular DSLs for Flexible Analysis: An e-Motions Reimplementation of Palladio

We address some of the limitations for extending and validating MDE-based implementations of NFP analysis tools by presenting a modular, model-based partial reimplementation of one well-known analysis framework, namely the Palladio Architecture Simulator. We specify the key DSLs from Palladio in the e-Motions system, describing the basic simulation semantics as a set of graph transformation rules. Different properties to be analysed are then encoded as separate, parametrised DSLs, independent of the definition of Palladio. These can then be composed with the base Palladio DSL to generate specific simulation environments. Models created in the Palladio IDE can be fed directly into this simulation environment for analysis. We demonstrate two main benefits of our approach: 1) The semantics of the simulation and the nonfunctional properties to be analysed are made explicit in the respective DSL specifications, and 2) because of the compositional definition, we can add definitions of new non-functional properties and their analyses.