Rule extraction method for model transformations in heterogeneous smartphone applications

Abstract

Recently, intense competition has emerged among smart phone providers, each offering its own unique operating platform. Since smart phone applications are largely dependent upon the platform for which they are designed, this has made it extremely difficult to develop heterogeneous versions able to run on a variety of platforms. In response to this concern, we propose applying a mode-to-model transformation technique. This involves first analyzing platform differences and similarities, then classifying them into independent and dependent models. Each classification, or category, is used to create an API Matrix which in turn allows for model transformation rules to be generated. Once extracted, a given smart phone application may be adjusted to meet the parameters of a selected platform. To illustrate the proposed model-to-model transformation technique, this paper provides transformation rules extracted for the Android platform, itemized by ATL and adaptable to Androidbased smart phone applications. © 2013 International Information Institute.